Which type of law governs the operations of government agencies and regulatory bodies?

• A. Administrative Law
• B. Common Law
• C. Statutory Law
• D. Criminal Law

Answer: (A)

Administrative law governs how government agencies operate—the powers agencies have, the procedures they must follow to make rules and issue decisions, and the way those actions are reviewed for legality and fairness. It covers rulemaking, licensing, adjudication, enforcement, and the oversight processes that ensure agencies act within the authority granted to them by statutes and follow due process. For example, agencies like the FDA or OSHA issue regulations and conduct hearings, and their actions can be challenged in court if they overstep statutory authority or fail to follow proper procedures. This focus on process, authority, and accountability distinguishes administrative law from other types of law.

Common law is built from judicial decisions over time and guides principles that arise from court rulings, not the specific operations of government agencies. Statutory law consists of the statutes enacted by legislatures, which provide the substantive rules; administrative law explains how those statutes are implemented and enforced. Criminal law defines offenses and penalties for crimes, which is a separate realm from how agencies administer programs and regulations.