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Ultra Vires
Beyond their legitimate powers. Said of a company when
exceeding the licence given to it by Act of Parliament. Thus if a
company, which had obtained an Act of Parliament to construct a railway
from London to Nottingham were to carry its rails to York, it would be
acting ultra vires. If the Bank of England were to set up a mint
on their premises, it would be acting ultra vires.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Ultra Vires from Infoplease:
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