Quick Answer: Bradley & Ewing and Wade & Forsyth are the two classic constitutional and administrative law textbooks for UK law students. Bradley & Ewing is the more accessible choice for undergraduates and covers constitutional law as well as administrative law. Wade & Forsyth is the authoritative specialist administrative law text, essential for LLB and postgraduate students with an admin law focus.
For most UK LLB students taking constitutional and administrative law in their first or second year, Bradley, Ewing & Knight’s Constitutional and Administrative Law (18th ed) is the better starting point — it covers both constitutional and administrative law in a single accessible volume. Wade & Forsyth’s Administrative Law (12th ed) is the specialist text for students focussing specifically on administrative law at advanced undergraduate or postgraduate level.
📋 In This Comparison
Overview: The Two Classic Public Law Textbooks
Constitutional and Administrative Law, 18th Ed
| Authors: | Bradley, Ewing & Knight |
| Edition: | 18th Edition (2022) |
| Publisher: | Pearson Education |
| ISBN: | 9781292402772 |
| Covers: | Constitutional AND Administrative Law |
Prices updated: 2026-08-11
Administrative Law, 12th Edition
| Authors: | Wade, Forsyth & Ghosh |
| Edition: | 12th Edition (2023) |
| Publisher: | Oxford University Press |
| ISBN: | 9780198806851 |
| Covers: | Administrative Law specialist text |
Bradley, Ewing & Knight — Constitutional and Administrative Law
Constitutional and Administrative Law by Bradley, Ewing and Knight is the leading undergraduate textbook for public law in England and Wales. Now in its 18th edition (2022), it has been the standard LLB text since the first edition by A.W. Bradley and K.D. Ewing in 1985. The addition of Christopher Knight as co-author in recent editions has brought fresh perspectives, particularly on human rights law and the post-Brexit constitutional settlement.
Comprehensive scope: Bradley & Ewing covers the full spectrum of constitutional law — the nature of the constitution, Parliament and sovereignty, the executive, devolution, the courts, human rights — alongside administrative law including judicial review, natural justice, legitimate expectations, and remedies. This makes it a genuinely comprehensive single-volume public law text.
Post-Brexit updates: The 18th edition has been substantially updated to cover the constitutional implications of Brexit — the operation of the UK Internal Market Act 2020, the Northern Ireland Protocol, changes to devolution arrangements, and the ongoing debate about constitutional reform including House of Lords reform and the future of the Human Rights Act.
Writing style: Bradley & Ewing is written for undergraduates and is deliberately accessible without sacrificing depth. The historical perspective — particularly on the development of parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law — is one of its greatest strengths, giving students a sense of the constitution as a living, evolving document.
UK universities: Bradley & Ewing is prescribed or recommended for public law and constitutional law modules at King’s College London, Durham, Exeter, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leeds, Bristol, and many other UK law schools.
“Bradley and Ewing is indispensable. The historical depth makes everything click — you understand why the constitution is the way it is, not just what it says. Essential for public law at any UK law school.”
— Amelia, GDL Student, BPP University Law School
Wade & Forsyth — Administrative Law
Administrative Law by Wade, Forsyth and Ghosh is the authoritative specialist text on English administrative law. Originally written by Sir William Wade, the book is now in its 12th edition (2023), updated by Christopher Forsyth and Reshma Ghosh. It is the most scholarly and detailed treatment of administrative law available and is the essential reference for advanced study, postgraduate work, and legal practice.
Authoritative depth: Wade & Forsyth goes significantly deeper into administrative law than Bradley & Ewing — the treatment of judicial review grounds, ultra vires doctrine, procedural impropriety, proportionality, and remedies is exhaustive. For students who need authoritative guidance on administrative law doctrine, there is no better English text.
Case analysis: The case analysis is a particular strength — landmark cases from Wednesbury to Anisminic to Cart are discussed with a depth that no other undergraduate text matches. The historical development of each doctrine is traced carefully, giving students genuine insight into how administrative law has evolved.
12th edition updates: The current edition covers the Supreme Court’s Miller decisions on prorogation, the development of proportionality in English administrative law, Brexit and the Withdrawal Agreement, and the latest developments in judicial review procedure following the Independent Review of Administrative Law.
Scope limitation: Unlike Bradley & Ewing, Wade & Forsyth covers administrative law only — constitutional law is not within its scope. For a combined public law course, students need either Bradley & Ewing alone, or Wade & Forsyth plus a separate constitutional law text.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Bradley & Ewing | Wade & Forsyth |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Constitutional + Administrative Law | Administrative Law only |
| Level | Undergraduate — very accessible | Advanced undergrad / postgraduate |
| Admin law depth | Good — covers all key areas | Authoritative — exhaustive treatment |
| Constitutional law | Excellent — half the book | Not covered |
| Publisher | Pearson | Oxford University Press |
| Best for | LLB public law module | Admin law specialism, LLM, GDL |
Which UK Law Schools Use Each
Bradley & Ewing recommended at:
- King’s College London
- Durham University
- University of Exeter
- University of Sheffield
- University of Nottingham
- University of Leeds
- University of Bristol
- BPP University Law School
Wade & Forsyth recommended at:
- University of Oxford (admin law)
- University of Cambridge (admin law)
- London School of Economics
- University College London (postgrad)
- University of Edinburgh (LLM)
Our Verdict
⚖️ The Verdict
Buy Bradley & Ewing for your LLB public law module — it covers both constitutional and administrative law comprehensively and is recommended at the majority of UK law schools for undergraduate study.
Add Wade & Forsyth if you are doing an admin law specialism, postgraduate law, or need the authoritative reference treatment of judicial review doctrine for research or dissertation work.
| Textbook | Waterstones | Amazon | AbeBooks | Blackwells | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constitutional and Administrative Law – Bradley & Ewing (17) | £49.99 | £49.99 £45.51 | Check → | Check → | Check → |
| Administrative Law – Wade & Forsyth (11) | Check → | £55.99 £50.99 | Check → | Check → | Check → |
Prices updated from retailer feeds. Always verify before purchasing. We earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
Should I buy Bradley & Ewing or Wade & Forsyth for public law?
Buy Bradley & Ewing for your LLB public law module. It covers both constitutional and administrative law in a single accessible volume and is recommended at most UK law schools for undergraduate study. Wade & Forsyth is for students focusing specifically on administrative law at advanced undergraduate or postgraduate level.
What is the difference between constitutional and administrative law?
Constitutional law covers the fundamental rules and structures of government — Parliament, the Crown, the courts, human rights, devolution. Administrative law focuses on the control of executive and public body power — judicial review, natural justice, legitimate expectations, and remedies. In the UK, both are typically taught together as ‘public law’.
Which edition of Bradley & Ewing should I buy?
The 18th edition (2022) is current and covers post-Brexit constitutional developments, the Northern Ireland Protocol, and the latest case law including the Supreme Court’s prorogation decisions. One edition behind (17th, 2019) is usable for the core doctrine but misses significant recent developments. Check your reading list.
Is Wade & Forsyth suitable for undergraduates?
Wade & Forsyth is suitable for advanced undergraduates taking specialist administrative law modules, but it is primarily aimed at postgraduate students, academics, and practitioners. The depth and scholarly density make it less suitable as a first undergraduate text. Start with Bradley & Ewing and use Wade & Forsyth as a reference for specific topics.
Last Updated: Last Updated: July 2026 | Author: Textbooks.co.uk Editorial Team
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