What Is Administrative Law?

Administrative law is the body of law that governs the regulation of government agencies at the federal and stat𒆙e levels.

Government agencies have oversight over many critical sectors of the economy and society. Administrative law defines how these agencies can make and enforce rules and regulations. Administrative law is a branch of pubꦓlic law, which is part of the legal system that deals with the relationship between the government and the people.

Understanding Administrative Law

In the U.S., Congress and state legislatures create administrative law. Th𒁏is encompasses t𒅌he procedures under which government agencies operate, as well as the external constraints upon them. Administrative law is considered a branch of public law and is often referred to as regulatory law.

Each agency, department, or 𝓀division of government must have administrative regulations that establish the scope and limits of its authority.

Over the years, government agencies have steadily grown in number and importance in the United States. They have purview over a wide variety of areas, such as telecommunications, financial markets, and beyond. Examples of these agencies include the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Department of Labor (DOL), the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Federal Com﷽munications𝓡 Commission (FCC), and the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Se🍌curities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Workers’ compensation boards are examples of state-level government bodies that can enact policies and procedures under the direction of the administrative laws that structure them. Such boards have the power to determine whether injured workers are entitled to receive compensation related to injuries sustained in connection with their occupations. The authority outlined by administrative law details the constraints by which the boards must operate, how each case must be handled, and ways disputes are to be resolved.

Administrative Law Example

An example of how administrative law works can be seen in the matter of 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:internet neutrality.

In 2015, the FCC introduced net neutrality rules to prevent internet providers from blocking, throttling, or creating fast lanes for different types of content on the internet. In response, internet providers argued that such rules were onerous and unnecessary, and sought their repeal. In 2017, under the Trump administration, the FCC did just that. Then, in 2024, under the Biden administration, the FCC made another turn by reinstating net neutrality regulations, until a trade group sued and convinced an appeals court to block the regulations while the case was pending. In January 2025, the court ruled in the trade group's favor, striking a blow to the Biden administration.

The FCC holds regulatory authority over this matter because of the administrative laws that outline the commission’s powers. The procedures and actions the FCC can take regarding the proposed changes are also structured by those underlying administrative laws.

The Bottom Line

Administrative law is the body of law that determines the power and responsibilities of federal and state agencies. Administrative law sets out the procedures under which agencies operate, including the scope of their authorities and rule-making processes. It's a branch of public law.