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United Kingdom Leading Case illegalityimproper purposepolicy and objects

Padfield v Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

[1968] AC 997
JurisdictionUnited Kingdom
CourtHouse of Lords
Year1968
StatusBinding authority

Key Principle

A statutory power must be exercised to promote the policy and objects of the Act that confers it. Using a power to frustrate rather than further the Act's policy is an error of law susceptible to judicial review (improper purpose).

Area of Law

public-law

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