ADL2601
Assignment 1
Semester 2 2025
Due 26 August 2025
, ADL2601
Assignment 1
Semester 2 2025
Due Date: 26 August 2025
Administrative Law
1. Define administrative law in relation to public law
Administrative law is a subset of public law that governs the legal rules and principles
controlling the exercise of public power by organs of state and other bodies or
individuals authorised by legislation. It determines how public administration should
function and protects the public from the misuse or abuse of state power.
Application: This branch of law ensures that when government officials or public bodies
take decisions that affect individual rights, those actions are lawful, reasonable, and
procedurally fair as required by Section 33 of the Constitution and given effect through
PAJA. Unlike private law, which governs relationships between individuals,
administrative law focuses on hierarchical and often unequal relationships between the
state and citizens.
2. Identify all sources of administrative law and indicate whether they are
authoritative or persuasive in nature
Authoritative (binding) sources:
1. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
This is the supreme law of the country and forms the highest legal standard. All
administrative action must comply with its provisions, particularly Section 33
which mandates lawful, reasonable, and procedurally fair conduct.
Assignment 1
Semester 2 2025
Due 26 August 2025
, ADL2601
Assignment 1
Semester 2 2025
Due Date: 26 August 2025
Administrative Law
1. Define administrative law in relation to public law
Administrative law is a subset of public law that governs the legal rules and principles
controlling the exercise of public power by organs of state and other bodies or
individuals authorised by legislation. It determines how public administration should
function and protects the public from the misuse or abuse of state power.
Application: This branch of law ensures that when government officials or public bodies
take decisions that affect individual rights, those actions are lawful, reasonable, and
procedurally fair as required by Section 33 of the Constitution and given effect through
PAJA. Unlike private law, which governs relationships between individuals,
administrative law focuses on hierarchical and often unequal relationships between the
state and citizens.
2. Identify all sources of administrative law and indicate whether they are
authoritative or persuasive in nature
Authoritative (binding) sources:
1. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
This is the supreme law of the country and forms the highest legal standard. All
administrative action must comply with its provisions, particularly Section 33
which mandates lawful, reasonable, and procedurally fair conduct.
