Reviewed case brief

Padfield v Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

[1968] AC 997

[1968] AC 997 · House of Lords (UK)

administrative-lawdiscretionadministrative-discretionsem-3
Court
House of Lords, United Kingdom
Year
1968
Subjects
Administrative Law
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

A statutory discretion must be exercised to promote the purposes of the enabling Act; a minister cannot use discretion to frustrate the policy Parliament intended.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        [1968] AC 997

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.