Singapore Academy of Law Annual Lecture 1999: The Modern Development of Public Law in Britain and the Special Impact of European Law

The way in which the role of government has evolved over recent decades has contributed substantially to the public's increased expectations of the legal system. The United Kingdom is a case in point. In Britain, it has traditionally been Parliament's function to ensure that government is conducted responsibly. However, as the role of the state steadily expanded, it became increasingly apparent that Parliament could no longer, on its own, secure accountable government. This is the context within which modern administrative law evolved in the United Kingdom. Against this background, it is my purpose tonight to address some of the most significant recent developments in English public law and, in particular, to explore why British administrative law has developed in the way that it has.