Administrative agencies were set up to do part or portion of the government’s work delegated in more simple, informal or direct manner. As such, these agencies are not bound by the technicalities or the rules of civil procedure. One of the challenges of administrative procedural law is to prevent excess or abuse of authority by such agencies operating in such simplified environments.
The twentieth century witnessed proliferation in the number of administrative agencies in the USA to meet new challenges and opportunities that arose from time to time. In the wake of the great depression in the USA a number of administrative agencies were set up to combat the economic and social problems. The process of setting up of administrative agencies with delegated governmental functions or public duties continues unabated till today.
The congress passed the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.A. §§ 551-706), which not only set far more fair and transparent norms for the agencies but also reduced the scope of court’s power to review agency action or set aside their decision.
Judicial review of any particular agency action in question on the application of the aggrieved party to redress his legitimate grievances is a vital safety valve.
On the other hand political control over agency actions is far more pervasive and wide influencing the entire agenda of the concerned regulatory body. The designated elected officials of the congress or the state legislatures exercise political oversight controls over these outfits through various mechanisms, which include budgets, funding, appropriations, sanctions etc.
