legal right
Noun: A legal right is a claim, power, privilege, or immunity that is recognized and protected by law. Its existence and enforcement are guaranteed by the legal system, distinguishing it from moral rights or social privileges.
A legal right is a formal entitlement granted by statutes, regulations, constitutions, or judicial decisions. It implies a corresponding duty on another party (often the government or other individuals) to respect that right. The term is used to describe the specific, enforceable claims a person or entity holds under the law.
- The legal right to a fair trial is fundamental in many justice systems.
- Property ownership confers the legal right to use and exclude others from that property.
- Employees have a legal right to a safe working environment.
- The contract granted her the legal right to terminate the agreement with 30 days' notice.
- Vested Legal Right: A right that has been so completely established it cannot be taken away without the consent of the person possessing it. For example, a pension earned after years of service can become a .
- Legal Right vs. Equitable Right: In some legal systems, a (e.g., title to property) is distinct from an (e.g., the benefit of a trust), with different remedies for enforcement.
- Right (noun): A broader term encompassing moral, natural, and legal entitlements. A legal right is a specific type of .
- Entitlement (noun): Often used synonymously with legal right, especially for benefits conferred by statute (e.g., Social Security ).
- Privilege (noun): In legal contexts, this can be a specific legal right granted to a person or class, such as attorney-client .
The term legal right consistently refers to a law-based entitlement. Its specific meaning is determined by the area of law (e.g., constitutional right, contractual right, property right) but the core concept of legal enforceability remains.
- Statutory right: A right explicitly created by legislation.
- Lawful claim: An assertion of a right recognized by law.
- Juridical right: A formal right within a legal system (more academic).
- Moral right: An entitlement based on ethical principles, not enforceable by law.
- Illegal act: An action prohibited by law, the opposite of exercising a right.
- Duty / Obligation: A requirement to act or refrain from acting, which often corresponds to another's right.
- To have the right of way: This is a specific legal right granted to a vehicle or pedestrian to proceed first in traffic.
- To stand on one's rights: To insist on the full exercise of one's legal rights.
- A right of redress: The legal right to seek compensation or correction for a wrong or injury.
- a right based in law