Also known as: lawfully · lawfulness · legal
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An adjective describing conduct, status, or property that conforms to or is authorized by law.
Lena Lawson contracted to purchase improved land from Lunar Dynamics. A fire destroyed the building before closing. Equitable conversion placed the risk on Lena at formation, so her duty to pay the full price remained lawful and binding despite the loss.
Logan Lane filed a complaint advancing a novel extension of precedent. His attorney certified that the claims rested on existing law or a nonfrivolous argument for change. The certification rendered the filing lawful under the certification rule.
Laura Lewis offered former testimony from a witness now unavailable. The testimony had been given at a prior lawful deposition in a related proceeding. The court admitted the testimony because the deposition satisfied the rule's requirements.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
A sitting judge drafted estate documents for a sibling without compensation or court appearance. The judge declined to serve as counsel in any forum. The limited assistance kept the conduct lawful under the judicial conduct rule.
Lorenzo Lugo, once a government lawyer, possessed confidential information about a regulated entity. He refused to represent a private client adverse to that entity. The refusal kept his conduct lawful under the screening rule.
Landon Long negotiated a loan on behalf of Liberty Trust after the principal expressly authorized the transaction. His actions aligned with the principal's manifestations of consent. The resulting contract carried lawful authority to bind the principal.
Yes. Under the majority rule reflected in the source, risk of loss passes to the buyer at contract formation. The buyer's duty to pay therefore remains lawful and enforceable even if improvements are destroyed before closing.
Testimony given at a lawful deposition qualifies when the declarant is unavailable and the party against whom it is offered had an opportunity and similar motive to examine the witness. The rule expressly includes testimony from a lawful deposition in the current or a different proceeding.
A judge may give legal advice and draft documents for family members without compensation but may not serve as their lawyer in any forum. The distinction keeps the conduct lawful under the judicial conduct rule.
…September 1789, changed the name to Department of State and assigned duties in the performance of which the Secretary cannot be lawfully controlled by the President and for the non-performance of which he is not more responsible to the President than to any other citizen. It provides that he shall receive from the President…