, ADL2601 Assignment 1
Semester 2 2025
DUE 26 August 2025
Use this document as a guide and for references to answer your assignment
Questions
1.Define administrative law in relation to public law. (2 marks)
Administrative law is the branch of public law that governs the exercise of public
power and the performance of public functions by administrative bodies. While
public law as a whole regulates the relationship between the state and individuals,
administrative law specifically focuses on ensuring that administrative authorities
act within the limits of their lawful powers, follow fair procedures, and make
decisions that are reasonable and justifiable.
It provides the legal framework for:
Defining the powers and duties of administrative organs.
Controlling administrative action through mechanisms such as judicial
review.
Protecting individual rights against misuse or abuse of administrative
authority.
Promoting accountable, transparent, and lawful public administration.
In short, administrative law is a subset of public law concerned with the legality,
procedural fairness, and rationality of administrative decision-making and conduct.
2.Identify all sources of administrative law and indicate whether they are
authoritative or persuasive in nature. (10 marks)
Sources of Administrative Law and Their Nature
Administrative law in South Africa draws from several sources, some of which are
authoritative (binding) and others persuasive (influential but not binding).
Semester 2 2025
DUE 26 August 2025
Use this document as a guide and for references to answer your assignment
Questions
1.Define administrative law in relation to public law. (2 marks)
Administrative law is the branch of public law that governs the exercise of public
power and the performance of public functions by administrative bodies. While
public law as a whole regulates the relationship between the state and individuals,
administrative law specifically focuses on ensuring that administrative authorities
act within the limits of their lawful powers, follow fair procedures, and make
decisions that are reasonable and justifiable.
It provides the legal framework for:
Defining the powers and duties of administrative organs.
Controlling administrative action through mechanisms such as judicial
review.
Protecting individual rights against misuse or abuse of administrative
authority.
Promoting accountable, transparent, and lawful public administration.
In short, administrative law is a subset of public law concerned with the legality,
procedural fairness, and rationality of administrative decision-making and conduct.
2.Identify all sources of administrative law and indicate whether they are
authoritative or persuasive in nature. (10 marks)
Sources of Administrative Law and Their Nature
Administrative law in South Africa draws from several sources, some of which are
authoritative (binding) and others persuasive (influential but not binding).
