Droit Administratif (French: “administrative law”) is the body of rules governing the French administration, developed through decisions of the Conseil d’État and enforced by a separate hierarchy of administrative courts distinct from the ordinary civil courts. Its two defining features are (i) a separate system of administrative tribunals for disputes between the citizen and the State, and (ii) a distinct body of principles for the administration. Dicey criticised the system, but his criticism is now regarded as outdated.

Droit Administratif (French: “administrative law”) is the body of rules governing the administration in France, developed through decisions of the Conseil d’État and administered through a separate system of administrative courts distinct from the ordinary civil courts. It regulates (i) organisation and powers of administrative authorities, (ii) relations between the administration and private individuals, and (iii) remedies for administrative wrongs.

Its two most striking features are:

1. Separate administrative tribunals — disputes between the administration and the citizen are decided by the Conseil d’État and tribunals administratifs, not ordinary courts.
2. Distinct body of law — the State and its officials are governed by principles different from private law.

Dicey severely criticised Droit Administratif as being contrary to the Rule of Law, but his criticism is now regarded as outdated.