The right to lawful administrative action : a public administration perspective

Abstract

Defining lawfulness in all its dimensions and knowing its true meaning in the context of public administration is no easy task. The research on which this article is based, explains the practical functioning of the requirements for lawful administrative action and decision-making. The aim of improving an understanding of the requirements for lawful administrative action and decision-making is to produce a set of guidelines to be used by public officials. The frequent judicial intervention into public administration by means of judicial review of administrative action has produced inputs, which gradually facilitates an incremental understanding of the requirements for lawfulness. The said inputs will probably have a positive guiding effect on the execution of administrative action and decision-making. The requirements for lawful administrative action have the potential not only to enhance accountability in public administration but also to enrich the administrative justice system.