Administrative Action Research Articles (Page 1)

This study presents the design, implementation, and validation of a cloud security architecture on Amazon Web Services (AWS) that integrates Defense in Depth strategies with Identity and Access Management (IAM) Best Practices, tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Using the AWS Free Tier, an experimental cloud infrastructure was constructed to evaluate the effectiveness of multi-layered protection encompassing network segmentation, least-privilege access control, and real-time monitoring. The architecture employed a segmented Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) with public and private subnets, controlled by Security Groups (SGs) and Network Access Control Lists (NACLs), while IAM policies and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enforced identity-level security. Centralized monitoring through CloudTrail and CloudWatch enabled anomaly detection and event logging with high accuracy. Test results showed that unauthorized access was effectively blocked, suspicious activities were detected promptly, and all administrative actions were recorded reliably. The findings indicate that combining layered network defenses and IAM governance significantly enhances the resilience, visibility, and security posture of SMEs adopting AWS environments. Beyond its technical effectiveness, the model offers scalability, auditability, and cost-efficiency—demonstrating that enterprise-grade protection can be achieved even within the resource constraints of SMEs. Future work is encouraged to integrate automation and advanced AWS tools such as GuardDuty and Config to strengthen real-world adaptability and compliance.

It is indicated that the administrative act occupies an important place in the system of public administration tools, since it is the most effective and universal tool with the help of which public administration entities exercise their governmental functions and powers. Drawing on an analysis of diverse approaches to the nature and purpose of the administrative act, the article outlines its characteristics as an instrument of public administration: (i) a law-applying character – the act implements existing legal norms by specifying them within an individual case; (ii) individualization of the addressee – the act is addressed to an identified person, a defined circle of persons, or a defined group (identification being made through administrative-law status and/or the factual circumstances of the administrative case) without requiring literal personalization of each addressee; (iii) external effect – the act is directed outward and affects the rights and obligations of private persons; (iv) orientation toward legal consequences – the act creates, modifies, confirms, or terminates specific rights and obligations of the addressee (it may be beneficial, burdensome, mixed, or have dual effect); (v) procedural legitimacy – it is adopted by a competent subject of public administration in the prescribed procedure, with due observance of form, requisites, and limits of discretion, thereby materializing the authority’s competence; (vi) multiple modes of expression – written, oral, electronic, or by conclusive (implied) conduct; (vii) enforceability by means of administrative coercion – the act is subject to administrative and judicial appeal, and its execution is ensured by the coercive power of the State in cases and within the limits defined by law. It is argued that an administrative act is an individual authoritative manifestation of will by an authorized subject of public administration, in the form of a decision or a legally significant action, performed within the limits of competence and the established procedure, having external effect and aimed at the emergence, modification, confirmation, or termination of specific rights and/or obligations of an identified person(s), expressed in written, oral, electronic, or conclusive form, challengeable in the manner prescribed by law, and not establishing general rules of conduct but specifying them in the course of their application.

This study aims to identify irregularities in procedural acts that could potentially result in the illegality of administrative procedures. This intends to bridge a gap in contemporary doctrine in Hispano-America, where more emphasis has been placed on analyzing the criteria determining the severity of these irregularities, rather than on identifying and characterizing them. To do this, a literature review was conducted on a broad sample of scholarly documents dealing with administrative procedure act flaws. The views identified were integrated into a list of procedural requirements, the non-compliance of which entails the illegality of the resulting administrative act. This list will be beneficial for those who conduct judicial reviews of administrative acts, which is a prior and essential condition for validity assessment.

Data from the 2021-2024 academic years were analyzed, tracking exam and course grades for all students. Original scores were retained for comparison with final grades before and after Mastery. Overall, 47.1% of the students completed at least one Mastery exam, with 83.6% improving their scores. At our institution, students are placed on academic probation after one course failure, and risk dismissal after a second failure. Improved performances on Mastery exams resulted in 85.2% of students originally at risk of at least academic probation avoiding any formal administrative action. The initiative was well-received-89.8% of surveyed students reported improved morale, well-being, and reduced exam-related stress. This institution-wide initiative yielded several important academic outcomes, including fewer final course failures and fewer students at risk of academic probation or dismissal. This supports the notion that any given exam may be only a reflection of the student's ability to perform to their capabilities at the specific time the exam is administered.

This paper estimates the impact of doctor crackdowns on the quantity demanded of prescription opioids, across-market substitution, and across-product substitution. Exploiting plausibly exogenous variation in the timing and location of administrative actions, I find cracking down on a single doctor decreases county-level opioid dispensing by 10 percent. This decline persists across space and grows over time. Additionally, significant heroin substitution occurs, yet overall overdose mortality decreases. These results highlight a critical tradeoff policymakers should consider with targeted crackdowns: Reductions in the flow of new users must be balanced against the harm that arises when existing users substitute to more dangerous drugs. (JEL I11, I12, I18, K42)

Judicial Control Over Administrative Action in India: A Review of Constitutional Principles and Contemporary Relevance

Abstract Background and Aims Neural epidermal growth factor-like protein 1 (NELL-1) is an autoantigen associated with membranous nephropathy (MN) and is associated with malignancy, autoimmune conditions and indigenous medicines. NELL-1-positive MN is being disproportionately reported recently particularly in association with the use of skin fairness creams. A study in Bangladesh found that there are multiple such brands available in markets with very high mercury content and most of those are manufactured and sold internationally from Pakistan. This case report aims at increasing awareness of the emerging health issue which can be prevented by appropriate awareness and ban of such cosmetic products. Method We hereby report a case of a 35 year old female diagnosed with MN in a remote town in India which was NELL 1 positive and was associated with the use of skin fairness cream. The associated cream is manufactured in Pakistan and is currently available everywhere in India including remote villages. Our patient belongs to one such remote place, and gave a history of using a cream Faiza for skin fairness for 2 months prior to the onset of illness. On evaluation for anasarca, she was found to have nephrotic syndrome with over 5.5 gm of proteinuria with deranged lipid profile, with ++++ albuminuria and normal renal function. Renal biopsy was done which was suggestive of MN, NELL 1 positive. On detailed evaluation, she confirmed the use of skin fairness cream for 2 months prior to the onset of illness. She used ‘Faiza’ cream imported from the neighbouring country Pakistan which was known to have very high mercury content. This was confirmed with a laboratory analysis of that particular cream that she used. Results With the diagnosis, she was treated with ACE inhibitors, supportive care and the use of skin fairness cream was stopped. Within 6 weeks, she improved clinically with reduction in edema and proteinuria reduced to ++. She needs further follow up to ascertain if she needs aggressive immunosuppression. Conclusion Use of skin fairness creams is widespread, with a lucrative market in India, and is fueled by the societal obsession with fair skin. Skin whitening creams with high mercury content have been associated with MN. This is an alarming health risk for the general population as the availability of such products is seen in remotest areas of India, imported from neighbouring countries creates possibility of an epidemic of MN. This issue has to be taken on priority basis and appropriate awareness and administrative action is needed. Market survey showed us the presence of few more of such brands with high mercury content which furthers the need for urgent awareness and intervention.

The pertinence of the research stems from the fact that against the background of the growing practice of delegation of public powers in the legislation and judicial case-law of some countries there is no unity in determining the grounds for termination of delegation of public powers. Relying on the results of generalizing the legislative provisions on the withdrawal (revocation) of delegated public powers, as well as referring to relevant foreign experience, the author summarized that the main grounds for terminating the delegation of public powers are generally recognized to include: (1) early return by a public authority of the delegated powers (with compensation for losses caused by this decision to the relevant public authority or private entity); (2) impossibility of exercising delegated powers for objective reasons; (3) systematic violation of the principles and rules for the exercise of delegated powers; (4) negative assessment of the effectiveness of the exercise of delegated powers; (5) non-compliance of a public authority or private entity with delegated powers with the requirements for eligibility for delegated powers. Nevertheless, the study found that there could be no legal consequences for the participants in the delegation of powers of the fact that the legal act serving as a basis for an administrative act or administrative agreement on delegation of powers was amended, except if respective legal provisions have not undergone substantive changes. Similarly, changes in the name, as well as a reorganization of public authorities or private entities as participants in the delegation of powers do not entail the termination of delegation of powers. Instead, in such circumstances, public succession takes place, during which the rights and duties under the document on the delegation of powers are transferred to their successors, unless this has led to the acquisition of power by an entity that does not meet the criteria for this. The author, moreover, maintained that the provisions of the legislation governing the matter of termination of delegation of powers should determine the rules for administrative proceedings that have been initiated and not completed by the time the delegated powers were withdrawn (revoked).

This study aims to analyze the legal status of the examination approval letter issued by the Notary Honorary Council (MKN) as a State Administrative Decision (KTUN) and to evaluate the procedural compliance of the notary’s summons based on Supreme Court Reconsideration Decision No. 36 PK/TUN/2020. Using a normative juridical approach and case study method, the study finds that the letter meets the criteria of a KTUN and can be subject to an administrative lawsuit. However, the Supreme Court rejected objections regarding procedural violations due to the notary's attendance at the examination. The study concludes that government administrative law is more appropriate for assessing the validity of such administrative actions, emphasizing the principles of effectiveness and protection of individual rights. These findings highlight the importance of procedural understanding for notaries and the need for adequate legal assistance when facing administrative actions.

Abstract The Trump administration, as part of its effort to expand executive control, has aggressively pursued impoundment power. Impoundments, have largely been narrowly proscribed since the passage of the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, but this renewed effort has put the issue front and center once again. This paper reviews the historical record on impoundment, presents the arguments for and against the President's constitutional authority to impound, reviews the Trump administration actions and the questions raised by them, and suggests the implications for future relationships between the President and Congress in the budget process, and for the separation of powers itself.

Keeping Duty Hours in Hand: Exploiting Texting to Ensure Compliance.

Health data linkage systems are essential for understanding and addressing health inequalities, yet the United States' system-already constrained by legal and institutional limitations-has been further eroded by the second Trump administration's policies. These include defunding data collection, politicizing inequality-related research, and breaching privacy rules that protect personal data. This article draws on documentary analysis, secondary data, and comparative institutional review to document recent changes to US health data infrastructure and evaluate alternative models from France, Sweden, and England. We find that the Trump administration's actions have severely undermined the US health data linkage system, disrupting the production of data and undermining public trust. A centralized system like Sweden's offers broad data linkage capacity but may not be feasible in the US due to privacy concerns. France's tight controls on access limit usability to elite analysts, undermining inequality. England's still nascent system offers a model for equitable access to data on social, economic and political determinants of health. Rebuilding the US health data linkage infrastructure post-Trump will require restoring public trust, restoring collection of key sociodemographic indicators, and ensuring equity in access. International examples provide guidance for a more politically sustainable, inclusive system.

Throughout the first months of his second term in office, the Trump administration has taken swift action to undermine the role that government health agencies play in the health policymaking process. This commentary makes the case that the Trump administration's efforts to undermine government health agencies' regulatory authority reflect a dislike and distrust of the people who serve in key civil service roles. It also provides evidence that efforts to roll back regulatory authority are part of a longstanding political strategy to cater to public dislike and distrust of scientific, medical, and academic experts. While the public could provide policymakers with an incentive to protect public health agencies, and the people who staff them, recent public opinion research shows that many Americans simply do not know or do not care enough about the Trump administration's actions to call for their elected officials to stop them. This commentary concludes by offering several health communication strategies and directions for future research (the "science of standing up for science") that might inspire public concern about efforts to roll back government health agencies' regulatory authority, and to show support for the civil servants who comprise those agencies.

This research examines the criminal liability of PT. Simeulue Perkasa Sejahtera (PT. SPS) for environmental damage resulting from forest and land fires in Nagan Raya, Aceh. Utilizing a normative juridical approach, the study analyzes Indonesia’s legal framework, including Undang-Undang No. 32 Tahun 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, Undang-Undang No. 41 Tahun 1999 on Forestry, and Peraturan Pemerintah No. 71 Tahun 2014 on Peat Ecosystem Protection. Findings indicate that although legal provisions impose strict liability on corporations for environmental harm, law enforcement remains weak and inconsistent. Evidence of fire hotspots within PT. SPS’s concession area failed to result in administrative or criminal sanctions, reflecting broader enforcement challenges such as lack of inter-agency coordination, inadequate forensic expertise, and judicial reluctance. The discussion highlights the importance of attributing liability not only to corporate entities but also to individual actors within the company. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the need for stronger administrative actions and judicial reforms to bridge the gap between law and practice. This research contributes to the discourse on corporate environmental accountability in Indonesia and calls for urgent legal and institutional reforms to ensure environmental justice and uphold international commitments related to climate change and transboundary haze pollution.

This study aims to analyze the criminal elements in the alleged corruption case involving former Minister of Trade Thomas Trikasih Lembong regarding the issuance of raw sugar import quotas during 2015–2016. Using a normative juridical approach and qualitative analysis method, this research examines the legal aspects of sugar import policies suspected of violating regulatory procedures and causing state financial losses. The focus lies in establishing abuse of power that meets the criminal elements outlined in Article 2 and Article 3 of Law No. 31 of 1999 in conjunction with Law No. 20 of 2001 on the Eradication of Corruption. The study also considers the principle of legality and general principles of good governance as the basis for evaluating whether administrative actions potentially constitute criminal offenses. The findings indicate that proving malicious intent (mens rea) and causal links to state losses are critical elements in classifying the actions as criminal corruption. This research contributes academically by clarifying the boundary between policy errors and criminal acts in the context of public officials’ accountability.

This article comprehensively examines the nature of the burden of proof in administrative court proceedings, with particular emphasis on its application in claims for the performance of obligations. By referring to various doctrinal approaches, it defines the concept of the burden of proof, distinguishes between its formal and material types, and explains the negative consequences imposed on the parties in situations of “non-liquet”. In doing so, it clarifies the theoretical foundations of this institute in legal science. The article points out that while the rules governing the burden of proof are clearer and more stable in civil and criminal disputes, the situation is different in administrative disputes. This difference arises from the inequality between the parties, the limited access of claimants to documents and information held by administrative authorities, as well as the courts’ power to investigate the facts of the case and collect evidence. Claims for the performance of obligations hold special significance in this context, since such claims are not related to the adoption of an administrative act but rather to the requirement that an administrative body perform certain factual actions. In such cases, determining which party bears the burden of proof becomes more complex. Although the Code of Administrative Procedure of the Republic of Azerbaijan establishes rules on the distribution of the burden of proof in annulment, enforcement, and claims for abstention, there is a normative gap regarding claims for the performance of obligations. For this reason, judicial practice plays a decisive role, and an analysis of the Supreme Court’s decisions demonstrates that the burden of proof is not static but dynamically allocated between the parties depending on the circumstances of the case. Furthermore, by adopting a comparative legal perspective, the article draws parallels between the legislation of Germany, France, and Türkiye and that of Azerbaijan, emphasizing that an administrative authority cannot be released from the burden of proof merely by adopting a position of denial. On the contrary, it has the obligation to substantiate the arguments it advances. Proper determination of the burden of proof in administrative court proceedings is essential both for the protection of individual rights and for the objective and effective realization of administrative justice. In this regard, it is proposed to eliminate the normative gap, to establish precise rules on the burden of proof for different types of claims, and to implement mechanisms for the exchange of evidence. Thus, the necessity of distributing the burden of proof in claims for the performance of obligations among the claimant, the respondent administrative authority, and the court illustrates its dynamic and flexible character. The development of this mechanism constitutes one of the key guarantees of the rule of law and fair judicial proceedings. Keywords: burden of proof, claim for the performance of obligations, material burden of proof, formal burden of proof, non-liquet, administrative court proceedings, investigation of case facts, evidence.

This article comments on Pepa v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), arguing that it departs from the Supreme Court’s previous guidance on remedies in an unprincipled manner. The article outlines the remedial framework established in Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v. Vavilov, traces its development over the past five years, discusses key departures from the general rule of remittal, and highlights the principles these departures reflect. It then examines the approach to remedies adopted in Pepa. This assessment shows that the Pepa majority’s invocation of the “single reasonable interpretation” exception to the general rule of remittal departs from the core Vavilov values of restraint, deference, justification, and respect for administrative action. In this sense, Pepa does not fit the pattern of principled exceptions seen in earlier cases. Rather, it is a case in which remedial practice and principles are out of alignment. As a result, while Pepa is a strong example of persuasive reasonableness review, its application of the law of remedies should be read with caution.

This article explores the connection between remedies in judicial review of administrative action and the constitutional foundations of judicial review, arguing that they have an interdependent relationship. If courts wish to advance a coherent theory of judicial review, then looking to the way in which remedies have developed under the framework laid out in Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v. Vavilov, and the guiding principles on which they are based, may assist courts in future constitutional foundation cases. Similarly, looking to theory guides how courts should intervene — whether a remedy should be granted, what remedies are appropriate, and the kinds of remedies that ought to be developed.

This article addresses an apparent asymmetry in the law of judicial review of administrative action. While procedural review is explicitly concerned with the rights of people who find themselves subject to public administrative power, rights do not figure in the prevailing account of substantive review. Instead, courts have treated substantive review as an opportunity to promote the rule of law and give effect to legislative intent. The author argues that the asymmetry is merely apparent, and that especially following Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v Vavilov, substantive review is best understood as a rights-oriented enterprise. More specifically, substantive review vindicates a right to justification according to law held by the legal subject of an administrative decision. This account makes the legal subject visible within the law of substantive review and allows us to see the law of judicial review more generally as an integrated domain concerned with administrative law rights. Note on expert review: This article went through double-blind expert review, in compliance with the Alberta Law Review's typical peer review process. The other articles in this issue were subject to single-blind expert review.

This qualitative single-case study examined the relationship between C-suite accountability and the design and effectiveness of employee performance assessments in a rapidly expanding defense contracting firm. Although performance assessments are widely regarded as essential to organizational effectiveness, the defense sector presents distinct regulatory and security challenges that complicate their consistent execution. Using semi-structured interviews, a brief survey, and direct observations with 15 overhead employees across diverse roles, the study employed a constructivist orientation to capture nuanced perspectives. Findings indicated that C-suite leadership exerted a decisive influence on assessment quality, while frontline supervisors played a pivotal role in daily performance communication. Revenue-linked pressures altered both the timing and depth of evaluations, reflecting the “cost of making money” within compliance-driven procurement cycles. Informal assessments frequently shaped compensation and administrative actions, yet formal processes lagged behind the firm’s accelerated growth. Moreover, communication gaps emerged, with support staff often perceiving limited executive recognition of their contributions. The study concludes that executive accountability is closely associated with clearer expectations, enhanced supervisory coaching, and consistent feedback. Formalized appraisals were shown to function not only as governance mechanisms but also as cultural signals in a regulated industry. The research highlights the importance of sequenced performance management roadmaps, transparent communication, and explicit linkage of performance measures to strengthen engagement, retention, and audit readiness.