The theory of ultra vires in administrative law refers to actions taken by public authorities or agencies that exceed the powers granted to them by law. When an authority acts ultra vires, its actions are considered invalid and unenforceable. This principle ensures that public bodies operate within the legal frameworks established by legislation, safeguarding against arbitrary or unlawful decision-making. It serves as a vital mechanism for upholding the rule of law and protecting individual rights against misuse of power.
A person is working ultra vires if they are acting outside the bounds of the law. these are people who will be acting illegally. you can avoid the ultra vires rule by functioning or acting within the bounds of the law. You have to act legally to prevent the ultra vires rule from working. If it is a company you have to act within the provisions of the company policies or expectations. If it is a contract you have to follow the provisions of the contract so as to avoid the ultra vires rule. In cases where legislation is used that is an act of parliament, regulations or a country's constitution a person has to follow the provisions of the specific law. if they are acting legally within the bounds of the law they are avoiding the ultra vires rule.
Satya Ranjan Das has written: 'Satyaranjan Das on the Law of ultra vires' -- subject(s): Ultra vires
Manfred Eggert has written: 'Die deutsche Ultra-vires-Lehre' -- subject(s): Ultra vires, Corporation law, Municipal corporations
That there are certain actions a corporation has no power to perform or do, and an act of this type performed by a corporation is prohibited. For example, a corporation which is not authorized to issue stock is ultra vires to the issuance of corporate stock, or "without power" Generally unless a provision is explicitly stated in the law or the corporation's charter there is almost nothing that is considered ultra vires for a corporation.
The law, whether it is intra vires, or ultra vires is always decided by the judiciary in exercise of its judicial power, constitutional authority and jurisdiction. It is also popularly known as "judicial review of legislative competence" under the Constitutional and Administrative Law. The Parliament, or the State legislature has Constitutional authority to legislate the law on any particular subject, so as to achieve its object. Obviously, the law that is legislated and enacted by the legislature has to be tested on the touch-stone of reasonableness and fairness. If, the statute is unjust, unfair, unreasonable, arbitrary and sanctions "unguided, unbridled, and sweeping power, authority and jurisdiction that shocks the constitutional conscious", the law is often declared "ultra vires" the Constitutional provisions.
Doctrine of the ultra-vires Any transaction which is outside the scope of the powers specified in the objects clause of the MA and are not reasonable incidentally or necessary to the attainment of objects is ultra-vires the company and therefore void. No rights and liabilities on the part of the company arise out of such transactions and it is a nullity even if every member agrees to it. Consequences of an ultra-vires transaction: -1. The company cannot sue any person for enforcement of any of its rights. 2. No person can sue the company for enforcement of its rights. 3. The directors of the company may be held personally liable to outsiders for an ultra vires. However, the doctrine of ultra-vires does not apply in the following cases: - 1. If an act is ultra-vires of powers the directors but intra-vires of company, the company is liable. 2. If an act is ultra-vires the articles of the company but it is intra-vires of the memorandum, the articles can be altered to rectify the error. 3. If an act is within the powers of the company but is irregularly done, consent of the shareholders will validate it. 4. Where there is ultra-vires borrowing by the company or it obtains deliver of the property under an ultra-vires contract, then the third party has no claim against the company on the basis of the loan but he has right to follow his money or property if it exist as it is and obtain an injunction from the Court restraining the company from parting with it provided that he intervenes before is money spent on or the identity of the property is lost. 5. The lender of the money to a company under the ultra-vires contract has a right to make director personally liable.
Some common effects of Ultra Vires doctrine of company law include the fear to act promptly because of administration fears such as bottlenecks and retribution by senior stuff. As a result, most people want to contact a senior before making simple decisions.
In common law, ultra vires acts are those performed by a corporation or entity beyond its legal authority, rendering such acts void and unenforceable. Similarly, under Ghanaian law, the doctrine of ultra vires applies, especially in corporate governance, where actions exceeding a company's stated objectives are invalid. However, Ghanaian law may allow for some exceptions, such as the doctrine of constructive notice, where third parties are expected to be aware of a company's limitations. Overall, both systems emphasize the importance of adhering to prescribed powers, but Ghanaian law may provide more nuanced interpretations in certain contexts.
important of law in nigeria
The doctrine of ultra vires occurs when a corporation acts beyond its legal powers. For example, if a company established to manufacture electronics enters into a contract to provide legal services, that action would be ultra vires since it falls outside its defined purpose. Another instance would be a nonprofit organization using its funds for political campaigning, violating its charter that restricts activities to charitable purposes. Both examples illustrate actions that exceed the authority granted by law or the organization's founding documents.
Family law and administrative law