Administrative law in Singapore
Administrative law in Singapore is a branch of public law that is concerned with the control of governmental powers as exercised through its various administrative agencies. Administrative law requires administrators – ministers, civil servants and public authorities – to act fairly, reasonably and in accordance with the law. Singapore administrative law is largely based on English administrative law, which the nation inherited at independence in 1965.
The Supreme Court of Singapore. The High Court, which is housed in this building, conducts judicial review of administrative action in Singapore by exercising its supervisory jurisdiction.
Parliament House (left) at night, photographed in December 2009. Judicial review of administrative action is important in Singapore because the executive dominates Parliament's legislative agenda.
Traffic signals along Stamford Road, Singapore. In Singapore, the courts are said to emphasise a largely green-light approach towards administrative law
Public housing built by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in Woodlands. In a 1984 case, the High Court held that the HDB had acted unlawfully by compulsorily acquiring a flat when it had no power to do so.
Illegality in Singapore administrative law
Illegality is one of the three broad headings of judicial review of administrative action in Singapore, the others being irrationality and procedural impropriety. To avoid acting illegally, an administrative body or public authority must correctly understand the law regulating its power to act and to make decisions, and give effect to it.
The Supreme Court of Singapore in August 2010. The building is the seat of the High Court, which carries out judicial review in administrative law.
An aerial view of Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory. In a 2000 case the High Court of England and Wales held that legislation excluding Chagossians from the atoll was ultra vires the Government's lawmaking powers, but this decision was overruled by the House of Lords in 2008.
Revenue House, where Singapore Customs is based. In Re Fong Thin Choo (1991), the High Court held that it could judicially review a decision of the Director-General of Customs and Excise which was alleged to have been made on the basis of insufficient evidence.
The high street of Witney, Oxfordshire. In a 1995 case involving a denial of planning permission to Tesco Stores for the construction of a retail food superstore in the town, the House of Lords held that so long that a decision-maker does not act in a Wednesbury-unreasonable manner, it is entitled to place on a relevant consideration whatever weight it sees fit.