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Transcript of Good Article Legitimate Expectation
From the SelectedWorks of DharmendraChatur
February 2011
Doctrine of Legitimate Expectations
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DOCTRINE OF
LEGITIMATE
EXPECTATIONS
A Comparative and Analytical Study
III Year B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) Dharmendra Chatur 08D6015
VI Semester Administrative Law
Doctrine of Legitimate Expectations
2
CONTENTS
Contents ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction to the Doctrine ....................................................................................................... 3
Judicial Development of Legitimate Expectations in the United Kingdom .............................. 6
How can a legitimate expectation arise? ................................................................................ 7
Standard of Review for breach of legitimate expectation ...................................................... 8
Judicial Development of Legitimate Expectations in India ....................................................... 9
Concluding Remarks ................................................................................................................ 13
Bibliography ............................................................................................................................ 14
Journal Articles .................................................................................................................... 14
Books and Treatises ............................................................................................................. 15
Caselaw ................................................................................................................................ 15
VI Semester Administrative Law
Doctrine of Legitimate Expectations
3
INTRODUCTION TO THE DOCTRINE
It cannot be overemphasized that the concept of legitimate expectation has now emerged as
an important doctrine. It is stated that it is the latest recruit to a long list of concepts fashioned
by the court to review an administrative action.1 It operates in public domain and in
appropriate cases constitutes a substantive and enforceable right.2 As a doctrine it takes its
place beside such principles as rules of natural justice, rule of law, non-arbitrariness,
reasonableness, fairness, promissory estoppel, fiduciary duty and perhaps, proportionality to
check the abuse of the exercise of administrative power. The principle at the root of the
doctrine is Rule of Law which requires regularity, predictability and certainly the
governments‟ dealing with the public.3
An expectation could be based on an express promise, or representation or by established past
action or settled conduct. It could be a representation to the individual or generally to a class
of persons. Whether an expectation exists is a question of law, but clear statutory words
override any expectation, however founded. However as an equity doctrine it is not rigid and
operates in areas of manifest injustice. It enforces a certain standard of public morality in all
public dealings. However, considerations of public interest would outweigh its application. It
would immensely benefit those who are likely to be denied relief on the ground that they
have no statutory right to claim relief.
Exercise of discretion is an inseparable part of sound administration and, therefore, the State
which is itself a creature of the Constitution, cannot shed its limitation at any time in any
sphere of State activity. A discretionary power is one which is exercisable by the holder of
the power in his discretion or subjective satisfaction. The exercise of discretion must not be
arbitrary, fanciful and influenced by extraneous considerations. In matters of discretion the
choice must be dictated by public interest and must not be unprincipled or unreasoned.
Reasonable and non-arbitrary exercise of discretion is an inbuilt requirement of the law and
any unreasonable or arbitrary exercise of it violates Article 14 of the Constitution of India,
1950. The discretion must be exercised reasonably in furtherance of public policy, public
1 Union of India v. Hindustan Development Corpn., (1993) 3 SCC 499.
2 M.P. Oil Extraction Co. v. State of M.P., (1997) 7 SCC 592.
3 Chanchal Goyal (Dr.) v. State of Rajasthan, (2003) 3 SCC 485.
VI Semester Administrative Law
Doctrine of Legitimate Expectations
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good and for public cause. This doctrine of legitimate expectation acts as a deterrent for those
in charge of public power from exercising it arbitrarily. It should not be capped, cabined or
confined in narrow, pedantic and lexographic approach; rather it should be given broadest of
interpretations so as to cover within its purview the dialectics and dynamics of fairness and
efficiency. The basic purpose for the same being the expectation in a rule of law society is
that holders of public power and authority must be able to publicly justify their action as
legally valid and socially wise and just. Under such circumstances, it becomes an inherent
right of the public in a democracy to prevent themselves from the abuse of discretion and do
not get susceptible to the deadly tentacles of arbitrariness and unreasonableness.
As the legitimate expectation doctrine gained acceptance, it was invoked in a wider range of
cases, which can be conveniently summarised into four categories:
1. The first was cases in which a person had relied upon a policy or norm of general
application but was then subjected to a different policy or norm.
2. The second category, which was a slight variation on the first, included cases in which
a policy or norm of general application existed and continued but was not applied to
the case at hand.
3. A third category arose when an individual received a promise or representation which
was not honoured due to a subsequent change to a policy or norm of general
application.
4. A fourth category, which was a variation on the third, arose when an individual
received a promise or representation which was subsequently dishonoured, not
because there had been a general change in policy, but rather because the decision-
maker had changed its mind in that instance.4
This doctrine has found acceptance not only in the U.K.5 (as this paper will elaborate in the
next chapter) where it originated, but also in Australia,6 South Africa,
7 Hong Kong,
8
Singapore,9 New Zealand,
10 Canada
11 and as this paper will examine, in India.
12
4 P P CRAIG, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW, 641 (5
th ed, 2003).
5 PAUL CRAIG, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW, 646-91 (6th ed, 2008); WILLIAM WADE & CHRISTOPHER FORSYTH,
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW, 446-457 (10th ed, 2009); Iain Steele, Substantive Legitimate Expectations: Striking the
Right Balance? (2005) 121 LAW QUARTERLY REVIEW 300; Mark Elliott, Legitimate Expectations and the
Search for Principle: Reflections on Abdi & Nadarajah [2006] JUDICIAL REVIEW 281; Melanie Roberts, Public
Law Representations and Substantive Legitimate Expectations, 64 (1) MODERN LAW REVIEW 112–122 (2001),
Sales & Steyn, Legitimate Expectations in English Law: An Analysis, (2004) PUBLIC LAW 564–653; Robert E.
Riggs, Legitimate Expectation and Procedural Fairness in English Law, 36 (3) AM. J. COMP. L. 395 (1988). See
VI Semester Administrative Law
Doctrine of Legitimate Expectations
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The aim of this research paper is to make a comparative analytical study of the development
of the doctrine of legitimate expectation in England and India. The research materials
included both primary and secondary sources. The scope of this paper is limited to only case
law of England and India due to paucity of time and space. However, wherever occasioned,
relevant case law from different countries have been alluded to. The paper has been divided
into three main chapters. The first one is an introduction to the doctrine, the second contains a
judicial development of the doctrine in England and the third contains the development of the
doctrine in India, mainly cases from the Supreme Court of India.
generally, SCHØNBERG, LEGITIMATE EXPECTATIONS IN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW (2000); ROBERT THOMAS,
LEGITIMATE EXPECTATIONS AND PROPORTIONALITY IN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW (2000).
6 See, Matthew Groves, Substantial Legitimate Expectations in Australian Administrative Law, 32 (2)
MELBOURNE UNIV. L. R. 470 (2008); John Hlophe, Legitimate Expectation and Natural Justice: English
Australian and South African Law, 105 S. AFRICAN L. J. 165 (1987); Cameron Stewart, Substantive Unfairness:
A New Species of Abuse of Power? 28 Federal Law Review 617 (2000); Cameron Stewart, The Doctrine of
Substantive Unfairness and the Review of Substantive Legitimate Expectations in MATTHEW GROVES AND H P
LEE (eds), AUSTRALIAN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: FUNDAMENTALS, PRINCIPLES AND DOCTRINES 280 (2007).
7 Daniel Malan Pretorius, Ten Years After Traub:The Doctrine of Legitimate Expectation in South African
Administrative Law, 117 S. AFRICAN L. J. 520 (2000); Geo Quinot, Substantive Legitimate Expectations in South
African and European Administrative Law, 5 (1) GERMAN LAW JOURNAL 65 (2004).
8 In Tung v Director of Immigration [2002] 1 HKLRD 561, 600 (Li CJ, Chan and Ribeiro PJJ and Mason NPJ):
“The doctrine recognizes that, in the absence of any overriding reason of law or policy excluding its operation,
situations may arise in which persons may have a legitimate expectation of a substantive outcome or benefit, in
which event failing to honour the expectation may, in particular circumstances, result in such unfairness to
individuals as to amount to an abuse of power justifying intervention by the court.” The circumstances of this
case and its use of the legitimate expectation doctrine are explained in Teresa Martin, Hong Kong Right of
Abode: Ng Siu Tung & Others v Director of Immigration — Constitutional and Human Rights at the Mercy of
China, 5 SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL LAW JOURNAL 465 (2004). See also, Benny Y T Tai and Kevin K F Yam,
The Advent of Substantive Legitimate Expectations in Hong Kong: Two Competing Visions,
[2002] PUBLIC LAW 688.
9 Re Siah Mooi Guat, [1988] 2 S.L.R. (R.) 165, H.C.; Borissik Svetlana v. Urban Redevelopment
Authority [2009] 4 S.L.R. (R.) 92, H.C.
10 See, Chandra v, Minister of Immigration, 1978 (2) NZLR 559, 572.
11 David Wright, Rethinking The Doctrine Of Legitimate Expectations In Canadian Administrative Law, 35 (1)
Osgoode Hall L. J. 139 (1997).
12 See generally, B. C. SARMA, THE LAW OF ULTRA VIRES, 299-312 (Eastern Law House, 2004); JAIN & JAIN,
PRINCIPLES OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW, 2660-264 (6th ed, 2010). See, Shantimal Jain, Legitimate Expectation-A
Confusing Cauldron, The Chartered Accountant, October 2003, 427-9.
VI Semester Administrative Law
Doctrine of Legitimate Expectations
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JUDICIAL DEVELOPMENT OF LEGITIMATE EXPECTATIONS IN THE UNITED
KINGDOM
The Courts in England have been faced with various situations in which they have had to deal
with the aspect of legitimate expectations. The developments that the Courts have brought
abut have lent a structural stability to the concept.
Types of Legitimate Expectations: 13
1. Procedural Legitimate Expectation-
Denotes the existence of some process right the applicant claims to possess as a result of
behavior by the public body that generates the expectation.14
2. Substantive Legitimate Expectation-
Refers to the situation in which the applicant seeks a particular benefit or commodity, such as
a welfare benefit or license. The claim to such a benefit will be founded upon governmental
action which is said to justify the existence of the relevant expectation.15
Some of the
arguments in favor of substantive legitimate expectations are: it creates fairness in public
administration,16
reliance and trust in government, principle of equality, upholds rule of
law.17
Reasons for protecting legitimate expectations
It is required by fairness;18
abuse of power has been considered the root concept justifying the
protection of legitimate expectations;19
in European context, legal certainty i.e. the individual
ought to be able to plan his or her action on the basis that the expectation will be fulfilled is
13
CRAIG, supra note 5 at 647.
14 See, R. v. Liverpool Taxi Fleet Association, [1972] 2 QB 299.
15 Ex. P. Hamble (Offshore) Fisheries Ltd [1995] 2 All. E.R. 714, 724; Hargreaves, [1997] 1 WLR 906. See
also, Coughlan, [2001] QB 213.
16 Id.
17 CRAIG, supra note 5 at 651. The Arguments against substantive legitimate expectations is on page 652. One of
them is that the existing policy should not be ossified and unduly fettered.
18 CCSU v. Minister for Civil Service, [1985] AC 374 (Lord Roskill).
19 Begbie, [2000] 1 WLR 1115 (CA).
VI Semester Administrative Law
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also relied upon;20
the trust that has been reposed by the citizen in what he has been told or
led to believe by the official.21
When is an expectation legitimate?
First, it must be founded upon a promise or practice by the public authority that is said to be
bound to fulfil the expectation.
Second, clear statutory words override any expectation howsoever founded.22
Third, the notification of a relevant change of policy destroys any expectation founded upon
the earlier policy.23
Fourth, the individual seeking protection of the expectation must themselves deal fairly with
the public authority.24
How can a legitimate expectation arise?
In CCSU v. Minister for Civil Service, Lord Fraser identifies two ways by which a legitimate
expectation can arise: “legitimate expectation may arise from either an express promise given
on behalf of the public authority or from the existence of a regular practice which the
claimant can reasonably expect to continue.”25
1. Express Promise: The most common way a legitimate expectation might arise is by an
express promise or specific representation to an individual or group. In R. v. Liverpool
Taxi Fleet Association,26
an express promise from the Liverpool Corporation that it
would not increase the number of taxi licenses in the area without consultation with
the Association was held to create a legitimate expectation of consultation.27
20
CRAIG, supra note 5 at 649.
21 WADE & FORSYTH, supra note 5 at 447.
22 R. v. DPP ex p. Kebilene, [1999] 3 WLR 972 (HL).
23 Fisher v. Minister of Public Safety, [1999] 2 WLR 349.
24 R. v. Inland Revenue Commissioners ex. p. MFK Underwriting Agencies [1990] 1 WLR 1545.
25 [1985] AC 374, 401. See, CLIVE LEWIS, JUDICIAL REMEDIES IN PUBLIC LAW, 272 (3rd edn, 2004).
26 [1972] 2 QB 299.
27 See also, R. v. Devon County Council ex.p. Baker, [1995] 1 All E.R. 73 (CA); R v. Secretary of State for
Transport, ex.p. Richmond-upon-Thames LBC, [1994] 1 WLR 74 (QB).
VI Semester Administrative Law
Doctrine of Legitimate Expectations
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2. Existence of Regular Practice: In CCSU case,28
where continuous practice of
consultation before changes to conditions of service led to the legitimate expectation
there would be consultation before the Minister abolished the membership of the trade
union.
3. Certain Criteria must be satisfied for the promise or practice to gain legal
enforceability in public law:
The promise must be clear, unambiguous and precise.29
The promise of a
hearing before a decision is taken may give rise to a legitimate expectation
that the hearing will be given.30
The legitimate expectation must be legal. It should be within the powers of the
body to make the representation and fulfill it.31
Knowledge of policy but not reliance to one‟s own detriment.32
If the individual has suffered no hardship, there would be no reason to hold the
decision-maker to its promise.33
Standard of Review for breach of legitimate expectation
In R. (Bibi) v. Newham London Borough Council,34
the Court of Appeal gave guidance on
how the court should approach legitimate expectation cases with three practical questions:
First, what has the public authority, whether by promise or practice, committed itself to;
second, whether the authority has acted or proposed to act unlawfully in relation to its
commitment; third, what the court should do in this regard.
L. J. Laws in Abdi and Nadarajah v. Secretary of State for Home Department,35
advocated a
test of proportionality for judicial review of administrative action on the basis of legitimate
expectation. This precedent sheds some light on whether proportionality could be used and
adjusted to give due weight to the fact that the decision-maker nay have greater expertise
and/or democratic legitimacy than the court, and the court could apply the test with varying
28
Supra note 23.
29 Begbie and Kebilene, supra note 20.
30 Attorney General of Hong-Kong v. Ng Yeun Shiu, [1983] 2 AC 629.
31 Bibi, [2001] EWCA Civ 607; Hamble, supra note 14 at 731; Flanagan, [2002] EWCA Civ 690.
32 Rashid, [2005] EWCA Civ. 744.
33 Bibi, supra note 31.
34 Id.
35 [2005] EWCA Civ. 1363.
VI Semester Administrative Law
Doctrine of Legitimate Expectations
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degrees of intensity by scrutinizing more or less closely a decision-maker‟s claims that it was
necessary to frustrate the applicant‟s expectation.36
JUDICIAL DEVELOPMENT OF LEGITIMATE EXPECTATIONS IN INDIA
Some Supreme Court cases that have recently dealt with the doctrine of legitimate
expectation are:
In J.P.Bansal v State of Rajasthan,37
the Supreme Court while examining the doctrine
of legitimate expectation held that:
“The principle of legitimate expectation is at the root of the rule of law and requires
regularity, predictability and certainty in government’s dealings with the public. For
a legitimate expectation to arise, the decisions of the administrative authority must
affect the person by depriving him of some benefit or advantage which either:
(i) he had in the past been permitted by the decision maker to enjoy and which he can
legitimately expect to be permitted to continue to do until there has been
communicated to him some rationale grounds for withdrawing it or where he has
been given an opportunity to comment; or
(ii) he has received assurance from the decision maker that they will not be
withdrawn without giving him first an opportunity of advancing reasons for
contending that they should not be withdrawn.
The procedural part of it relates to a representation that a hearing or other
appropriate procedure will be afforded before the decision is made. The substantive
part of the principle is that if a representation is made than a benefit of substantive
nature will be granted or if the person is already in receipt of the benefit than it will
be continued and not be substantially varied, then the same could be enforced. An
exception could be based on an express promise or representation or by established
past action or settled conduct. The representation must be clear and unambiguous. It
could be a representation to an individual or to a class of persons.”
In another case, Punjab Communications Ltd v. Union of India (1999),38
the Supreme
Court cited British precedents (especially Hargreaves) to suggest that whether a
legitimate expectation can be legally frustrated on public interest grounds can only be
36
ELIZABETH GIUSSANI, CONSTITUTIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW, 329 (1st ed, 2008).
37 2003(3) SCALE 154.
38 1999 (4) SCC 727. Supreme Court of India judgment dated 04 May 1999. See also, M/S Sethi Auto Service
Station & Ors. v. Delhi Development Authority & Ors dated 17 October 2008.
VI Semester Administrative Law
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judged by the very deferential standards of Wednesbury unreasonableness, and nor the
more demanding test of proportionality. It also went on to note that the doctrine of
legitimate expectation in the substantive sense has been accepted as part of [Indian]
law and that the decision maker can normally be compelled to give effect to his
representation in regard to the expectation based on previous practice or past conduct
unless some overriding public interest comes in the way.
In MRF Ltd Kottayam vs Asst Commissioner, Sales Tax,39
it was observed that the
protection of „legitimate expectation‟ does not require the fulfillment of such
expectation where an overriding public interest requires otherwise. That is to say, the
public interest is overriding.
Therefore, what becomes clear is that legitimate expectations as a ground for challenging
administrative action can be done away with when there is an overriding public interest and
the immediacy of the situation required a change in policy, moving away from past promises
and practice.
Recently, a Constitution Bench of the SC in Secretary, State of Karnataka v.
Umadevi,40
referred to the circumstances in which the doctrine of legitimate
expectation can be invoked thus : “The doctrine can be invoked if the decisions of the
administrative authority affect the person by depriving him of some benefit or
advantage which either (i) he had in the past been permitted by the decision-maker to
enjoy and which he can legitimately expect to be permitted to continue to do until
there have been communicated to him some rational grounds for withdrawing it on
which he has been given an opportunity to comment; or (ii) he has received assurance
from the decision-maker that they will not be withdrawn without giving him first an
opportunity of advancing reasons for contending that they should not be withdrawn.”
Another Constitution Bench, referring to the doctrine, observed thus in Confederation
of Ex-servicemen Associations vs. Union of India:41
“No doubt, the doctrine has an
important place in the development of Administrative Law and particularly law
39
Supreme Court of India judgment dated 21 September 2006. See, Sukumar Mukhopadhyay, Legitimate
Expectation and Public Interest, Business Standard, 11 December 2006.
40 2006 (4) SCC 1.
41 JT 2006 (8) SC 547.
VI Semester Administrative Law
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relating to 'judicial review'. Under the said doctrine, a person may have reasonable or
legitimate expectation of being treated in a certain way by an administrative authority
even though he has no right in law to receive the benefit. In such situation, if a
decision is taken by an administrative authority adversely affecting his interests, he
may have justifiable grievance in the light of the fact of continuous receipt of the
benefit, legitimate expectation to receive the benefit or privilege which he has enjoyed
all throughout. Such expectation may arise either from the express promise or from
consistent practice which the applicant may reasonably expect to continue. In such
cases, therefore, the Court may not insist an administrative authority to act judicially
but may still insist it to act fairly. The doctrine is based on the principle that good
administration demands observance of reasonableness and where it has adopted a
particular practice for a long time even in absence of a provision of law, it should
adhere to such practice without depriving its citizens of the benefit enjoyed or
privilege exercised.”
As to who can invoke the protection of legitimate expectation, the SC has observed, after
examining a list of authorities on the subject, that: “The doctrine of legitimate expectation
based on established practice (as contrasted from legitimate expectation based on a promise),
can be invoked only by someone who has dealings or transactions or negotiations with an
authority, on which such established practice has a bearing, or by someone who has a
recognized legal relationship with the authority-A total stranger unconnected with the
authority or a person who had no previous dealings with the authority and who has not
entered into any transaction or negotiations with the authority, cannot invoke the doctrine of
legitimate expectation, merely on the ground that the authority has a general obligation to act
fairly.”42
In Food Corporation of India v. Kamdhenu Cattle Feed Industries Ltd,43
the Supreme
Court has observed that the doctrine of legitimate expectation falls within the purview
of the principle of non-arbitrariness as incorporated under Article 14 of the
Constitution. It becomes an enforceable right when the Government instrumentality
fails to give due weight to it.
42
Ram Pravesh Singh & Ors. v.State of Bihar & Ors., 2006 (8) SCJ 721.
43 AIR 1993 SC 1601.
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However, as per the observations of the Supreme Court in Assistant Excise
Commissioner v. Issac Peter,44
the doctrine of legitimate expectation cannot be
invoked to alter the terms of a contract of a statutory nature. Similarly, in Howrah
Municipal Corporation v. Ganges Road Company Ltd45
it has been held that no right
can be claimed on the basis of legitimate expectation when it is contrary to statutory
provisions which have been enforced in public interest.
In Madras City Wine Merchants Association v. State of Tamil Nadu46
the doctrine of
legitimate expectation was held to become inoperative when there was a change in
public policy or in public interest as has been reaffirmed in some of the
aforementioned decisions.
In Union of India v. Hindustan Development Corporation,47
the Supreme Court has
elaborately considered the reverence of this theory. In the estimation of the Apex
Court, the doctrine does not contain any crystallized right. It gives to the applicant a
sufficient ground to seek judicial review and the principle is mostly confined to the
right to a fair hearing before any decision is given.
It was held in Navjyoti Co-op Group Housing Society v. Union of India48
that the
doctrine of legitimate expectation imposes in essence a duty on the public authorities
to act fairly by taking into consideration all the relevant factors bearing a nexus to
such legitimate expectation. The concerned authority cannot act arbitrarily so as to
defeat the expectation, unless demanded by over-riding reasons of public policy.
Further, in another landmark judgment, M.P. Oil Extraction Co v. State of Madhya
Pradesh,49
the Supreme Court was dealing with the license renewal claims of certain
industries. It was held in this case that extending an invitation, on behalf of the State,
44
(1994) 4 SCC 104.
45 (2004) 1 SCC 663.
46 (1994) 5 SCC 509.
47 AIR 1994 SC 988.
48 AIR 1993 SC 155.
49 Supra note 2.
VI Semester Administrative Law
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13
was not arbitrary and the selected industry had a legitimate expectation of renewal of
license under the renewal claims.
Lastly, in National Building Constructions Corporation v. S Raghunathan50
it was
held that legitimate expectation is a source of both, procedural and substantive rights.
The person seeking to invoke the doctrine must be aggrieved and must have altered
his position. The doctrine of legitimate expectation assures fair play in administrative
action and can always be enforced as a substantive right. Whether or not an
expectation is legitimate is a question of fact.
The development of the doctrine of legitimate expectation in India has been in line with the
principles evolved in common law English courts. In fact, it was from these English cases
itself that the doctrine first came to be recognized by the courts in India. It therefore creates a
new category of remedy against an administrative action and furthers the rule of law in India.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
As Wade & Forsyth believe, the doctrine of legitimate expectations is a welcome addition to
the armoury of the courts ensuring that discretions are exercised fairly. The phrase „legitimate
expectation‟, which is much in vogue,51
must not be allowed to collapse into an inchoate
justification for judicial intervention.52
Academics have expressed skepticism as to whether the doctrine of legitimate expectation
should apply to substantive rights. Thio Li-ann argues that legitimate expectations should
relate only to procedural rather than substantive rights.53
Procedural protection only has a
minimal impact on the administrative autonomy of the relevant public authority, since the
court is only concerned with the manner in which the decision was made and not whether the
decision was fair. Thus, the ultimate autonomy of public authorities is never placed in
50
AIR 1998 SC 2776.
51 R. (EB Kosovo) v. Home Secretary, [2008] UKHL 41. (Lord Scott)
52 WADE & FORSYTH, supra note 5 at 447.
53 Thio Li-ann, Law and the Administrative State in KEVIN YEW LEE TAN (ed.), THE SINGAPORE LEGAL SYSTEM,
190 (1996).
VI Semester Administrative Law
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jeopardy.54
Conversely, as Mark Elliot posits, giving effect to a substantive legitimate
expectation impinges on the separation of powers.55
The authority has been entrusted by
Parliament to make decisions about the allocation of resources in public interest. Applying
legitimate expectation substantively allows the courts to inquire into the merits of the
decision. Such interference with the public authority's discretion would be overstepping their
role and exceeding their proper constitutional function.
The courts have been taking a more active role in controlling the exercise of discretionary
power and upholding the rule of law, while recognizing that in certain situations deference to
the Executive is necessary. The courts have to therefore maintain a balance between
legitimate judicial intervention and judicial interference violating the principle of separation
of powers, and as the concept of legitimate expectations continues to develop, maintaining
this balance will be at the forefront.56
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Journal Articles
1. Benny Y T Tai and Kevin K F Yam, The Advent of Substantive Legitimate
Expectations in Hong Kong: Two Competing Visions, [2002] Public Law 688.
2. Cameron Stewart, Substantive Unfairness: A New Species of Abuse of Power?
28 Federal Law Review 617 (2000)
3. Daniel Malan Pretorius, Ten Years After Traub:The Doctrine of Legitimate
Expectation in South African Administrative Law, 117 S. African L. J. 520 (2000)
4. David Wright, Rethinking The Doctrine Of Legitimate Expectations In Canadian
Administrative Law, 35 (1) Osgoode Hall L. J. 139 (1997).
5. Geo Quinot, Substantive Legitimate Expectations in South African and European
Administrative Law, 5 (1) German Law Journal 65 (2004).
6. Iain Steele, Substantive Legitimate Expectations: Striking the Right Balance? (2005)
121 Law Quarterly Review 300
7. John Hlophe, Legitimate Expectation and Natural Justice: English Australian and
South African Law, 105 S. African L. J. 165 (1987)
8. Lord Irvine of Lairg, The Modern Development of Public Law In Britain; and the
Special Impact of European Law, 11 Singapore Academy of L. J. 275 (1999).
9. Mark Elliot, Coughlan: Substantive Protection of Legitimate Expectations Revisited,
5 (1) Judicial Review 27 (2000).
54
Lord Irvine of Lairg, The Modern Development of Public Law In Britain; and the Special Impact of European
Law, 11 Singapore Academy of L. J. 275 (1999).
55 Mark Elliot, Coughlan: Substantive Protection of Legitimate Expectations Revisited, 5 (1) Judicial Review 27
(2000).
56 GIUSSANI, supra note 36 at 220.
VI Semester Administrative Law
Doctrine of Legitimate Expectations
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10. Mark Elliott, Legitimate Expectations and the Search for Principle: Reflections
on Abdi & Nadarajah [2006] Judicial Review 281
11. Matthew Groves, Substantial Legitimate Expectations in Australian Administrative
Law, 32 (2) Melbourne Univ. L. R. 470 (2008)
12. Melanie Roberts, Public Law Representations and Substantive Legitimate
Expectations, 64 (1) Modern Law Review 112–122 (2001)
13. Robert E. Riggs, Legitimate Expectation and Procedural Fairness in English Law, 36
(3) Am. J. Comp. L. 395 (1988).
14. Sales & Steyn, Legitimate Expectations in English Law: An Analysis, (2004) Public
Law 564–653
15. Shantimal Jain, Legitimate Expectation-A Confusing Cauldron, The Chartered
Accountant, October 2003, 427-9.
16. Teresa Martin, Hong Kong Right of
Abode: Ng Siu Tung & Others v Director of Immigration — Constitutional and
Human Rights at the Mercy of China, 5 San Diego International Law Journal 465
(2004).
Books and Treatises
1. B. C. Sarma, The Law of Ultra Vires (Eastern Law House, 2004)
2. Bradley & Ewing, Constitutional and Administrative Law (13th edn., 2003).
3. Cameron Stewart, The Doctrine of Substantive Unfairness and the Review of
Substantive Legitimate Expectations in Matthew Groves and H P Lee (eds),
Australian Administrative Law: Fundamentals, Principles and Doctrines 280 (2007).
4. Clive Lewis, Judicial Remedies in Public Law (3rd edn, 2004).
5. Elizabeth Giussani, Constitutional and Administrative Law (1st ed, 2008).
6. Harlow & Rawlings, Law and Administration (3rd edn., 2009).
7. Hilaire Barnett, Constitutional and Administrative Law (1997).
8. Jain & Jain, Principles of Administrative Law (6th ed, 2010).
9. Michael T Molan (ed.), 150 Leading Cases in Constitutional and Administrative Law
(2nd edn., 2002).
10. Neil Papworth, Constitutional and Administrative Law (5th edn., 2008).
11. P P Craig, Administrative Law (5th
ed, 2003).
12. Paul Craig, Administrative Law (6th ed, 2008)
13. Peter Cane, An Introduction to Administrative Law (3rd edn., 1996).
14. Robert Thomas, Legitimate Expectations and Proportionality in Administrative Law
(2000).
15. Schønberg, Legitimate Expectations in Administrative Law (2000).
16. Thio Li-ann, Law and the Administrative State in KEVIN YEW LEE TAN (ed.), THE
SINGAPORE LEGAL SYSTEM (1996).
17. William Wade & Christopher Forsyth, Administrative Law (10th ed, 2009)
Caselaw
1. National Building Constructions Corporation v. S Raghunathan, AIR 1998 SC 2776.
2. R. (EB Kosovo) v. Home Secretary, [2008] UKHL 41.
3. Navjyoti Co-op Group Housing Society v. Union of India AIR 1993 SC 155.
4. Assistant Excise Commissioner v. Issac Peter (1994) 4 SCC 104.
5. Ram Pravesh Singh & Ors. v. State of Bihar & Ors., 2006 (8) SCJ 721.
6. Howrah Municipal Corporation v. Ganges Road Company Ltd (2004) 1 SCC 663.
VI Semester Administrative Law
Doctrine of Legitimate Expectations
16
7. M/S Sethi Auto Service Station & Ors. v. Delhi Development Authority & Ors dated
17 October 2008.
8. J.P.Bansal v State of Rajasthan 2003(3) SCALE 154.
9. Madras City Wine Merchants Association v. State of Tamil Nadu (1994) 5 SCC 509.
10. Food Corporation of India v. Kamdhenu Cattle Feed Industries Ltd AIR 1993 SC
1601.
11. Secretary, State of Karnataka v. Umadevi, 1999 (4) SCC 727.
12. Attorney General of Hong-Kong v. Ng Yeun Shiu, [1983] 2 AC 629.
13. Bibi, [2001] EWCA Civ 607
14. Flanagan, [2002] EWCA Civ 690.
15. Rashid, [2005] EWCA Civ. 744.
16. R. v. DPP ex p. Kebilene, [1999] 3 WLR 972 (HL).
17. Fisher v. Minister of Public Safety, [1999] 2 WLR 349.
18. Ex. P. Hamble (Offshore) Fisheries Ltd [1995] 2 All. E.R. 714, 724
19. Hargreaves, [1997] 1 WLR 906.
20. Coughlan, [2001] QB 213.
21. Begbie, [2000] 1 WLR 1115 (CA).
22. CCSU v. Minister for Civil Service [1985] AC 374, 401.
23. R. v. Liverpool Taxi Fleet Association [1972] 2 QB 299.
24. Re Siah Mooi Guat, [1988] 2 S.L.R. (R.) 165, H.C
25. Union of India v. Hindustan Development Corpn., (1993) 3 SCC 499.
26. M.P. Oil Extraction Co. v. State of M.P., (1997) 7 SCC 592.
27. Chanchal Goyal (Dr.) v. State of Rajasthan, (2003) 3 SCC 485.
28. Tung v Director of Immigration [2002] 1 HKLRD 561, 600 (Li CJ, Chan and Ribeiro
PJJ and Mason NPJ).
29. R. v. Devon County Council ex.p. Baker, [1995] 1 All E.R. 73 (CA)
30. R v. Secretary of State for Transport, ex.p. Richmond-upon-Thames LBC, [1994] 1
WLR 74 (QB).