Legitimate expectation protects individuals from arbitrary withdrawal of benefits, requiring notice and an opportunity to be heard. The doctrine of legitimate expectation arises where a clear, lawful representation or consistent past practice by an authorized public authority creates a reasonable expectation of treatment. Such expectations require clear, unambiguous representations by competent officials and entitle affected persons to procedural fairness - notice and an opportunity to make representations - before withdrawal. The doctrine protects against arbitrary withdrawal unless modification is demonstrably justified by public interest, and it may give rise to procedural or, in certain cases, substantive rights.