Abstract This paper argues that case assignment is impossible in configurations that parallel generalized improper-movement configurations. Thus, like improper movement, there is “improper case.” The empirical motivation comes from (i) the interaction between case and movement and (ii) crossclausal case assignment in Finnish. I propose that improper case is ruled out by the Ban on Improper Case : a DP in [Spec, XP] cannot establish a dependent-case relationship with a lower DP across YP if Y is higher than X in th…