plenary authority

Plenary authority refers to complete and unrestricted authority granted to a person or entity under a law, constitution, contract, or other governing instrument. A holder of plenary authority may act within the scope of that grant without needing further approval or delegation. Despite the term suggesting full authority, plenary authority is not absolute. Its exercise remains subject to constitutional limits, statutory restrictions, and judicial review. 

The related term plenary power is more commonly used in constitutional and public law contexts to describe full or exclusive governmental power in a particular area. Plenary authority is often used in administrative, corporate, or organizational settings. For example, a corporate board may have plenary authority under a charter to approve certain transactions without shareholder approval.

[Last reviewed in November of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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