Definition

Noun: The principle that all individuals and entities are subject to the same laws and legal processes, and are entitled to equal protection and benefit of the law without privilege or discrimination.

Usage

This noun phrase is used to describe a fundamental legal and democratic principle. It is often discussed in contexts of civil rights, constitutional law, and justice systems. * The constitution guarantees equality before the law for all citizens. * A cornerstone of a just society is ensuring equality before the law. * The lawyer argued that the discriminatory policy violated the principle of equality before the law.

Advanced Usage

• "To uphold/ensure/guarantee equality before the law": To actively support and protect this principle.
  • The court's primary duty is to uphold equality before the law.
• "A violation of/breach of equality before the law": An action or law that contradicts this principle.
  • Granting special legal immunities to certain groups can be seen as a breach of equality before the law.

Variants and Related Words

• Equal protection (of the law) (noun phrase): A closely related concept, often used in legal texts (e.g., the U.S. Constitution's Equal Protection Clause), focusing on the state's obligation to treat individuals equally.
• Rule of law (noun phrase): The broader principle that law governs a nation, not arbitrary decisions by individual government officials, of which equality before the law is a key component.
• Isonomy (noun): A historical and more formal term meaning equality of political rights or equality before the law.

Synonyms

• Equal justice
• Legal equality
• Equal treatment under the law

Antonyms

• Legal discrimination
• Privilege before the law
• Unequal protection

Noun

1. the right to equal protection of the laws