This text explores administrative law from a socio-legal perspective against a background of constitutional principles. It scrutinizes the current institutions in the light of constitutional ideals and highlights the discrepancies between underlying aims and reality. It considers, in the broad sense, how legal techniques are used in the development and implementation of government policy and to what extent this allows for the enhancement of democratic participation and legitimacy of decision-making. It also gives due weight to all means of resolving grievances against the state, not just via the courts.