Administrative Law
Core doctrines
Administrative law governs the exercise of public power. Learn natural justice: audi alteram partem (hear the other side) and nemo judex in causa sua (no one judge in their own cause), plus reasoned decisions. Know ultra vires (substantive and procedural), delegated legislation (its necessity and controls), administrative discretion and its limits, judicial review grounds (illegality, irrationality, procedural impropriety, proportionality), writ remedies (habeas corpus, mandamus, certiorari, prohibition, quo warranto), tribunals, ombudsman, and tortious liability of the state (sovereign immunity's decline).
Traps
- Natural justice applies to quasi-judicial and administrative acts affecting rights, not to purely legislative acts.
- Mandamus commands performance of a public duty; certiorari quashes a decision; prohibition prevents it. Do not swap.
- Ultra vires covers both exceeding substantive power and breaching procedure.
- Discretion is not licence; it must be exercised lawfully, reasonably, in good faith, and without abdication or fettering.
Worked rule of thumb
For a scenario, run a three-step test: (1) Does the body have legal authority? (2) Did it follow fair procedure (notice, hearing, impartial decision-maker, reasons)? (3) Is the decision reasonable and proportionate? Any "no" is a review ground. Name the writ that fits the remedy sought: quash (certiorari), command (mandamus), stop (prohibition), release (habeas corpus), test title (quo warranto).