This text investigates the complex legal policy and logical frameworks governing the expansion of administrative power within the United Kingdom. H.W.R. Wade, a prominent legal scholar, utilizes a comprehensive analysis of statutes and judicial precedents to explain how the Anglo-American legal system manages the growth of governmental services. The work provides a structured examination of the mechanisms used to hold administrative bodies accountable within a modern democratic state.

Legal scholars and practitioners frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the mechanics of administrative oversight. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a standard reference for those studying the intersection of government authority and judicial review.