Ultra vires
Ultra vires: Latin for "beyond the powers." Describes an act that goes beyond the legal authority of the person or entity that took it — for example, a corporation acting outside its charter or an agency acting beyond the power Congress gave it.
What ultra vires means
Put simply, ultra vires is part of the working vocabulary of a civil case. The short definition above covers the usual meaning. Still, a specific rule, statute or contract can give it a narrower meaning. For that reason, check how it is used in your own documents.
Where ultra vires comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
How to research the term
To research ultra vires, begin with the rule, statute or contract where the word is used. Each one can give it a slightly different meaning. Then compare that text with how courts in your area have applied it. Also check the local rules of your court, since they can add requirements. If your case is in state court, the state rules control. So start with our state procedures guide to find them. In the end, always confirm that the source you rely on is current.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Trust indenture: a contract between an issuer of bonds or other debt securities and a trustee who acts for the bondholders. The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. § 77aaa et seq.) requires a qualified, independent trustee for most publicly offered debt securities; it does not apply to securities issued without an indenture.
- Trust merger: the ending of a trust when the same person becomes the sole trustee and the sole beneficiary, so that legal and equitable title are held by one person; a trust generally requires a separation of the two.
- Trustee: the person or institution that holds and manages trust property for the beneficiaries.
- Trustee's deed upon sale: the deed a trustee issues to the buyer at a nonjudicial foreclosure sale under a deed of trust, transferring the property after the borrower's default.
Why precise terms matter
Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.