Which term literally means 'beyond the powers'?

Which term literally means 'beyond the powers'?

• A. Ultra vires.
• B. Dillon's Rule.
• C. Statute.
• D. Home Rule.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is the literal meaning of the Latin term ultra vires. It combines ultra for “beyond” and vires for “powers,” so it directly describes actions taken beyond the authority granted to a person or body. In law, when a city, agency, or corporation does something that its charter, statute, or governing rules don’t authorize, that act is considered ultra vires. Such acts can be void or subject to challenge because they exceed the entity’s lawful powers. Dillon's Rule is about where local government authority comes from—state rather than local control—rather than describing a breach of authority in a single act. A statute is simply a law enacted by a legislative body, not a term for acting beyond authority. Home Rule refers to local self-government within constitutional limits, not to the concept of exceeding granted powers. Therefore, ultra vires is the term that literally means beyond the powers.

The main idea is the literal meaning of the Latin term ultra vires. It combines ultra for “beyond” and vires for “powers,” so it directly describes actions taken beyond the authority granted to a person or body. In law, when a city, agency, or corporation does something that its charter, statute, or governing rules don’t authorize, that act is considered ultra vires. Such acts can be void or subject to challenge because they exceed the entity’s lawful powers.

Dillon's Rule is about where local government authority comes from—state rather than local control—rather than describing a breach of authority in a single act. A statute is simply a law enacted by a legislative body, not a term for acting beyond authority. Home Rule refers to local self-government within constitutional limits, not to the concept of exceeding granted powers. Therefore, ultra vires is the term that literally means beyond the powers.