Administrative Law examines the legal framework for controlling decision-making by Commonwealth, State and local government decision-makers in Australia. It focuses on the legal restraints upon government, and the role those restraints play in maintaining government accountability. The role played by courts, tribunals and Ombudsman and the opportunities available to the public to question government activity is examined. The course covers the core administrative law material required for admission purposes and for work in the area of law and government. The following topics will be covered:

• what accountability means in the context of the administrative state';
• changing patterns of 'governance' in contemporary Australia;
• the historical and constitutional context of Australian administrative law;
• the administrative law framework for review of government decision-making;
• concepts and principles of merits and judicial review;
• jurisdiction and remedies available from courts and tribunals, and the principles of standing;
• other administrative law avenues including information access rights and ombudsmen; and
• the impact of human rights legislation on Australian administrative law.

Assessment in Administrative Law includes a final examination in the end of semester examination period and usually an optional (and redeemable) component. In 2012 this optional component consisted of a series of group work exercises worth 25% of the final mark. Students should check the course outline for further information about the means of assessment, including the relationship between the assessment and the learning outcomes of the course.

Administrative Law is a compulsory course generally involving four hours of contact time per week over the semester, including tutorials. Students are generally expected to devote approximately 10 hours overall per week to this course.

Australian Public Law LAWS1205.

Completed or completing five LAWS courses at 1000 level.

Any preliminary reading will be set out in the course outline for each class.

A comprehensive reading guide will be available either in the course outline or a separate document available from the course web page on the ANU College of Law website.