public policy

  1. In general, public policy refers to the concepts that underlie social rules , which are frequently unwritten and implemented through programs as a course of action established and/or legislated, generally by a government or non-profit organization , in response to social challenges.

  2. In law, public policy means the principle that harm to the public benefit is a grounds for denying the legitimacy of a contract or other transactions .

[Last reviewed in May of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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