Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Lawful/Unlawful vs Legal/Illegal

  • 18-08-2016 5:02pm
    #1
    GM228
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,922 ✭✭✭


    Just based on something I posted on another thread which got me thinking further about the difference between lawful/unlawful and legal/illegal.

    This is my understanding:-

    Anything is lawful (i.e not forbidden) unless it's illegal but not necessarily legal unless illegal.

    Lawful and legal differ in that lawful contemplates the substance of law, whereas legal alludes to the form of law.

    To be legal suggests something is done in compliance with law.

    So therefore if something is done which isn't specifically allowed for by law, but with which is also not forbidden by law than it's a lawful act, but not a legal act.

    But were does unlawful come into play, is it something which is simply against a rule but not specifically illegal?


Comments

  • #2
    Mr. Incognito
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,798 ✭✭✭Mr. Incognito


    Illegal is a breach of Legislation

    Unlawful is a breach of Law such as case law, equity etc


  • #3
    GM228
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,922 ✭✭✭GM228


    Mr. Incognito wrote: »
    Illegal is a breach of Legislation

    Unlawful is a breach of Law such as case law, equity etc

    So can we say an unlawful act is against the law, but not a criminal act, whilst an illegal act is both an unlawful act and a criminal act?


  • #4
    Kings Inns or bust
    Closed Accounts Posts: 631 ✭✭✭Kings Inns or bust


    Criminal acts can be common law but more commonly are contrary to legislation.


  • #5
    hullaballoo
    Administrators, Entertainment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 18,773 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭hullaballoo


    Illegal means proscribed by law but not necessarily criminal law, while unlawful means not conforming to or recognised by law.

    I started a thread about this a while ago. People conflate the terms all the time.


Advertisement