United Kingdom improper purposeprerogativeillegality

Laker Airways Ltd v Department of Trade

[1977] QB 643

JurisdictionUnited Kingdom

CourtEngland and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Year1977

StatusBinding authority

Key Principle

A statutory power exercised for an improper purpose — here, to frustrate a licensee operating under a parallel scheme — is reviewable and may be set aside.

Area of Law

Public Law

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