Seaduslike

Seaduslike is an Estonian adjective form related to the concept of legality. It is derived from the noun seadus (law) and the suffix -lik, which creates an adjective indicating a quality or relation. The base adjective seaduslik means “legal” or “lawful,” and seaduslike is used in grammatical contexts where the form must agree with plural nouns in certain cases, such as genitive or partitive constructions.

In contemporary Estonian, seaduslike is common in legal, administrative, and policy language. It describes actions, requirements, or measures that conform to the law, or labels documents and statuses as legally valid. Examples include phrases like seaduslike nõuete täitmine (fulfillment of legal requirements) and seaduslike meetmete rakendamine (implementation of legal measures). The term often appears in discussions that contrast what is seaduslik with what is keelatud (forbidden) or with other related legal terms.

Usage notes:

Seaduslike tends to occur when referring to multiple items or provisions, due to its plural-inflected form. It is typically found in formal or technical writing, including legislation, regulations, and official commentary. While closely related, other Estonian terms such as õiguslik can be used in slightly different nuances, with õiguslik often relating to rights, jurisdiction, or legal theory rather than mere conformity with the law.

See also: seadus, seadusandlus, õigussüsteem, seaduslikkus, õigus

History and context:

The form seaduslike is part of standard Estonian grammar and vocabulary and does not denote a separate field on its own. It serves as a functional grammatical variant that aids precise expression in legal and formal discourse.