The approach adopted in the first four editions has been retained, namely that administrative law is a specialized branch of constitutional law and that a sound knowledge of constitutional law and a thorough understanding of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 are prerequisites for an understanding of administrative law.

Building on the strengths of the "Sourcebook on Public Law", "Public Law and Human Rights: Text, Cases Materials" has been comprehensively revised to take account of the radical programme of constitutional reform introduced by the Labour Government since 1997. This edition introduces a new chapter on devolution. There is full analysis of the Human Rights Act 1998 and its impact on police powers, freedom of expression and public order law. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is analysed, as is the Shayler litigation under the Official Secrets Act. The governments reform of the House of Lords warrants thorough discussion, as do proposals for further reform in the Wakeham Report, the Governments White Paper, and the Report of the Public Administration Committee. Also included is material and analysis of reforms to the European Convention system and to domestic judicial review procedure.