Public Law governs the relationships between individuals and the government. Within it is Administrative Law, which can span many different sectors of law, touching on all business activities that are in any way subject to statutory control or regulation. The exercise of power by government departments in Australia is based on legal authority and is usually contained in statutes or regulations made by regulatory authorities. These laws or regulations enable governments, officials and statutory bodies the power to make decisions. Administrative Law provides remedies for individuals who disagree with those decisions, or believe them to be unjust, and wish to have them reviewed with the aim of removing or changing them. It can cover areas such as freedom of information, building and construction (including decisions made by adjudicators under Security of Payment legislation), planning and environmental law, taxation, competition, procurement, health and safety, telecommunications, advertising, human rights, professional discipline issues and any other area where business and government interact.
We can advise on a full range of administrative dispute resolution and investigative processes including:
- Negotiation with government departments, authorities and agencies
- Challenges to decisions made by statutory decision-makers
- Statutory appeals and tribunal processes
- Freedom of information requests under State and Commonwealth law
- Judicial and merit reviews across State and Federal jurisdictions
- Public inquiries such as Royal Commissions, Commissions of Inquiry, ICAC and other public inquiries; assisting with representation, interview requests, and document management