Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Within the legal power or authority of a person, official, or body: Describes an action or decision that is made within the scope of the powers legally granted to an individual, official, or organization.

Usage

• The term is used primarily in legal and formal administrative contexts to assess the validity of an action. It is the opposite of (beyond the legal power or authority).
• It is often used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb).

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The board's decision to approve the budget was intra vires and therefore valid.
  • The court ruled that the minister acted intra vires when issuing the directive.
  • An intra vires act by a government agency cannot be challenged on grounds of lack of authority.

Advanced Usage

• "to be intra vires": to be within the legal power.
  • The committee's action was found to be intra vires of its charter.
• "intra vires doctrine": a legal principle concerning actions taken within granted powers.
  • The case was decided based on the intra vires doctrine.

Variants and Related Words

• Ultra vires (adj., adv.): Beyond the legal power or authority; acting outside one's legal power.
  • An ultra vires contract may be declared void.

Synonyms

• Authorized
• Lawful
• Permissible
• Within one's competence/purview

Antonyms

• Ultra vires
• Unauthorized
• Unlawful

Related Phrases

• Act intra vires: To act within one's legal authority.
  • The director must ensure she acts intra vires at all times.
• Intra vires regulation: A regulation created within the regulator's statutory power.
  • The new policy is an intra vires regulation of the commission.

Adjective

1. within the legal power or authority or a person or official or body etc