Regulatory law, also known as administrative law, is a field of law that deals with procedures established by federal, state, and local administrative agencies. It defines the powers, responsibilities, rights, and procedures that direct, guide, empower, and constrain the actors and agencies involved. Regulatory law includes secondary legislation, such as regulations, promulgated by an executive branch agency under a delegation from a legislature, as well as legal issues related to regulatory compliance. It contrasts with statutory law promulgated by the legislative branch and common law or case law promulgated by the judicial branch.

Regulatory law governs the conduct of administrative agencies, including the promulgation of regulations and the adjudication of applications or disputes, and judicial review of agency decisions. Administrative agencies create procedures to regulate applications, licenses, appeals, and decision-making. Regulatory law deals with the scope of regulations passed by federal agencies and ensures that these agencies do not overstep and take action that comes under the purview of the legislative branch.

Regulatory lawyers focus on creating rules as required by legislation, as well as helping clients navigate those rules. They may create policies and procedures to ensure that a business complies with current law. Regulatory lawyers who work at government agencies draft and implement regulations based on legislation, while regulatory lawyers in private industry work with clients to navigate the regulations applicable to their organizations.

In summary, regulatory law is a field of law that deals with procedures established by administrative agencies and defines the powers, responsibilities, rights, and procedures that direct, guide, empower, and constrain the actors and agencies involved. It governs the conduct of administrative agencies, including the promulgation of regulations and the adjudication of applications or disputes, and judicial review of agency decisions. Regulatory lawyers focus on creating rules as required by legislation, as well as helping clients navigate those rules.