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Glossary

Ultra vires

beyond the powers

common-law

Action taken outside the legal authority conferred on a body.

In more detail

An ultra vires act is invalid. The doctrine is the traditional foundation of administrative judicial review and also constrains companies whose objects clauses limit their capacity, though modern company statutes have largely removed the latter effect.

Related terms

  • judicial-review
  • natural-justice

See how this applies to you

Definitions are general. How a term operates depends on the jurisdiction you are in.