by law
Club's standing rule
By law means as required or permitted by legal statute or regulation.
When something is mandated by law, compliance is not optional—there are legal consequences for violation.
By law, employers must provide a safe workplace.
The store is required by law to check ID for alcohol purchases.
The phrase distinguishes legal obligations from mere custom, policy, or moral expectation.
- ordinanceOfficial government regulation
- city ordinanceLaw enacted locally
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
- due processGuaranteed judicial fairness
- permitOfficial written authorization
statute · civil code · penalty · contract · mandate · license · prohibition · fine · legally · precedent · decree · court order · duty · legislature · liability · municipal · enforcement · responsibility
by lawfederal statute
Law enacted by Congress
federal law · state law · national legislation · congressional act · supreme court ruling
by lawillegally
Contrary to law
unlawfully · informally · unofficially · extralegally · de facto