legalitas

Legalitas is a concept used in law and public administration to describe the state, quality, or act of being legal, lawful, or authorized. It encompasses the idea that actions by individuals, corporations, or governments must conform to applicable statutes, regulations, and formal procedures. The term comes from the Latin legalitas, rooted in lex, the word for law, and it is distinct from legitimacy, which concerns the acceptance or moral authority of an actor rather than strict compliance with the law.

In jurisprudence, legality is a fundamental principle. Many legal systems adhere to the rule of law, where government power is exercised only in ways prescribed by law. The principle of legality also underpins doctrines such as nulla poena sine lege (no punishment without a pre-existing law).

In administrative practice, demonstrating legalitas often requires documentation—licenses, registrations, permits, or certifications—that prove compliance with relevant rules. Businesses, organizations, and public agencies use these documents to show legal status and to facilitate lawful operations.

Legalitas is therefore both a descriptive term for lawful status and a normative concept guiding compliance and governance. It interacts with related ideas such as legitimacy, rule of law, and due process.

See also: legality, legitimacy, rule of law, due process, licensing.