Ultra vires

From Awe

Ultra vires is a Latin expression. It is pronounced 'ul-tra v-eye-reez' and means literally 'beyond (his or her) powers'. The phrase is used to describe a course of action which exceeds, i.e., goes beyond or lies outside, the legal (or other) powers of the agent, as in "In taking that decision he acted ultra vires".

For further information see Pronunciation of 'Lawyers' Latin'