What is the primary purpose of administrative law?

The primary purpose of administrative law is to enforce statutes through rules and regulations established by governmental agencies. This branch of law enables these agencies to create specific regulations that provide clarity and detail on how the broader statutes passed by the legislature should be implemented and followed. Administrative law serves to execute the laws enacted by the legislature, ensuring they are applied effectively in governing public policy and managing the activities of various sectors.

This enforcement role plays a crucial part in the regulatory framework, as it allows agencies to carry out their functions, oversee compliance, and impose penalties for violations of those regulations. Given that agencies often address complex and specialized areas such as environmental protection, public health, and labor relations, administrative law helps ensure that governance is effectively conducted and that the objectives of the laws are achieved in practice.

While other options may involve aspects of law, they do not encapsulate the fundamental enforcement mechanism of administrative law as precisely as this answer does.