legality

Legality refers to the state or quality of being in accordance with the law. It encompasses the system by which rules are created, interpreted, and enforced by a recognized authority, such as a legislature, constitution, and judiciary. In political and legal discourse, legality is distinguished from the broader idea of morality or justice, though interconnected in practice.

Sources of law typically include statutes enacted by a legislature, the constitution and constitutional law, administrative regulations, and judicial decisions (case law). International law adds treaties and customary practices between states. In many jurisdictions, customary norms and regulatory guidelines also contribute to what is considered legal.

Legal rules govern conduct and the consequences of violations. To be applied, rules must be interpretable by competent authorities; due process protections ensure fair notice and an opportunity to contest charges. The principle of legality, often summarized by phrases like no crime without law, requires that criminal prohibitions be clear and not retroactive.

Legality is not equivalent to legitimacy or justice. A rule can be legal yet widely regarded as unfair, and laws may be altered or repealed as part of policy reform. Conversely, social norms or illegal actions by governments can persist even when illegal under formal law, highlighting the distinction between legality and moral legitimacy.

At the international level, legality depends on states' consent to treaties and recognition by international courts or bodies. Enforcement is variable, reflecting state sovereignty and the limits of extraterritorial jurisdiction. Together, legality and the rule of law aim to provide predictable, bounded authority and protect individual rights within a given jurisdiction.