Administrative and Civil Law Foundations
Core concepts
Understand the distinction between administrative law (state-citizen relations, public authority) and civil law (equality of parties, property and obligations). Know the elements of an administrative offence: act, unlawfulness, guilt, and liability. Learn administrative penalties (warning, fine, administrative arrest, deprivation of special rights) and the procedural guarantees. In civil law, study legal capacity, transactions, contracts, obligations, and limitation periods.
Traps in questions
Candidates confuse administrative liability with disciplinary liability, or misstate who may impose a penalty. Another trap is treating a civil contract as an administrative act; the key is whether the state exercises authority. Questions also test the limitation period for civil claims and the voidability versus nullity of transactions.
Worked rule of thumb
When a scenario involves a dispute, first ask: are the parties equal? If yes, it is civil; if one exercises public authority, it is administrative. Then check the applicable limitation period and the competent body.
Study focus
Review the types of administrative penalties, the rights of the person during proceedings, and the core civil law concepts of contract formation and liability.