Legal Definitions - government of laws

The government of laws is a doctrine that states that the government must operate according to established legal principles and not according to the interests of those in power. This means that judicial decisions must be based on the law, regardless of the character of the litigants or the personal preferences of the judge.

• A judge must follow the law when making a decision in a court case, even if they personally disagree with the law.
• A politician cannot use their power to pass a law that benefits themselves or their friends, but rather must follow the established legal process.
• A police officer cannot arrest someone without probable cause, as this would violate the legal principle of due process.

These examples illustrate the idea that the government must operate according to established legal principles, rather than the personal interests or preferences of those in power. This ensures that the government is fair and just, and that everyone is treated equally under the law.