Law vs. Justice — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 21, 2024
Law is a system of rules enforceable through institutions, focusing on order and conformity, whereas justice is the moral principle of fairness and equity.
Difference Between Law and Justice
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Law encompasses the set of rules and guidelines established and enforced by governing bodies to regulate society's behavior. Its primary objective is to maintain order, protect property, and safeguard individual freedoms. On the other hand, justice is a broader concept that refers to the fair and equitable treatment of individuals. It seeks to ensure that everyone receives their due, balancing the scales between wrongs and rights.
While laws are codified in legislation and legal texts, justice is often an ideal that societies strive for, influenced by ethical, moral, and cultural values. Laws are specific and concrete, outlining what is permissible and what is not, whereas justice is more abstract, focusing on the fairness of outcomes and processes.
Laws can be amended, repealed, or introduced based on societal needs and changes. This dynamic nature allows legal systems to adapt over time. However, the concept of justice remains more constant, rooted in the fundamental human sense of right and wrong, though interpretations of justice can vary widely across different cultures and communities.
The enforcement of laws is carried out by institutions like courts, police, and prisons, which have the authority to impose penalties on those who violate laws. Justice, however, is achieved when the application of laws leads to outcomes that are considered fair and equitable by the community or society at large.
Laws may not always lead to justice. In some instances, laws can be unjust, reflecting the prejudices or biases of those in power rather than the principles of fairness and equity. Justice serves as a corrective measure, guiding the reform of laws and legal systems to better align with ethical standards.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Set of rules enforceable by institutions.
Moral principle focusing on fairness and equity.
Focus
Order, conformity, and legal compliance.
Fairness, ethical outcomes, and equity.
Nature
Codified, specific, and enforceable.
Abstract, moral, and often idealistic.
Enforcement
By legal institutions (courts, police).
Through ethical and moral considerations.
Adaptability
Laws change with societal norms and needs.
Concept of justice remains relatively constant, though interpretations may vary.
Compare with Definitions
Law
The discipline concerned with the study of such rules.
She decided to study law to become a lawyer.
Justice
The principle of moral rightness; ethicalness.
His fight for justice motivated his entire career.
Law
The collection of all the rules in a particular legal system.
The law in this country includes statutes and case law.
Justice
The quality of being fair and reasonable.
The judge's ruling was seen as an act of justice.
Law
A rule defining correct procedure or behavior in a sport.
The new law of the game prohibits handball.
Justice
The ideal of fairness, equity, and impartiality.
Social justice campaigns aim to address and correct inequalities in society.
Law
The legal profession.
He's been practicing law for over thirty years.
Justice
The administration of the law or authority in maintaining this.
Justice was served when the criminal was convicted.
Law
A system of rules recognized by a country or community as regulating the actions of its members.
The law requires that all drivers stop at red lights.
Justice
A judge or magistrate, in particular a judge of the Supreme Court of a country or state.
Justice Roberts will preside over the case.
Law
Law is a system of rules created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior, with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been variously described as a science and the art of justice.
Justice
Justice, in its broadest sense, is the principle that people receive that which they deserve, with the interpretation of what then constitutes "deserving" being impacted upon by numerous fields, with many differing viewpoints and perspectives, including the concepts of moral correctness based on ethics, rationality, law, religion, equity and fairness. Consequently, the application of justice differs in every culture.
Law
A rule of conduct or procedure established by custom, agreement, or authority.
Justice
The quality of being just; fairness
In the interest of justice, we should treat everyone the same.
Law
The body of rules and principles governing the affairs of a community and enforced by a political authority; a legal system
International law.
Justice
The principle of moral rightness; decency.
Law
The condition of social order and justice created by adherence to such a system
A breakdown of law and civilized behavior.
Justice
Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness
Argued for the justice of his cause.
Law
A set of rules or principles dealing with a specific area of a legal system
Tax law.
Criminal law.
Justice
The attainment of what is just, especially that which is fair, moral, right, merited, or in accordance with law
My client has not received justice in this hearing.
Law
A statute, ordinance, or other rule enacted by a legislature.
Justice
(Law) The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law
We seek justice in this matter from the court.
Law
A judicially established legal requirement; a precedent.
Justice
The administration, system, methods, or procedures of law
A conspiracy to obstruct justice.
A miscarriage of justice.
Law
The system of judicial administration giving effect to the laws of a community
All citizens are equal before the law.
Justice
Conformity to truth, fact, or sound reason
The overcharged customer was angry, and with justice.
Law
Legal action or proceedings; litigation
Submit a dispute to law.
Justice
Abbr. J.(Law) A judge on the highest court of a government, such as a judge on the US Supreme Court.
Law
An impromptu or extralegal system of justice substituted for established judicial procedure
Frontier law.
Justice
The state or characteristic of being just or fair.
The justice of a description
Law
An agency or agent responsible for enforcing the law. Often used with the
"The law ... stormed out of the woods as the vessel was being relieved of her cargo" (Sid Moody).
Justice
The ideal of fairness, impartiality, etc., especially with regard to the punishment of wrongdoing.
Justice was served.
Law
(Informal) A police officer. Often used with the.
Justice
Judgment and punishment of a party who has allegedly wronged another.
To demand justice
Law
The science and study of law; jurisprudence.
Justice
The civil power dealing with law.
Ministry of Justice
The justice system
Law
Knowledge of law.
Justice
A title given to judges of certain courts; capitalized when placed before a name.
Mr. Justice Krever presides over the appellate court
Law
The profession of an attorney.
Justice
Correctness, conforming to reality or rules.
Law
Something, such as an order or a dictum, having absolute or unquestioned authority
The commander's word was law.
Justice
The quality of being just; conformity to the principles of righteousness and rectitude in all things; strict performance of moral obligations; practical conformity to human or divine law; integrity in the dealings of men with each other; rectitude; equity; uprightness.
Justice and judgment are the haditation of thy throne.
The king-becoming graces,As justice, verity, temperance, stableness, . . . I have no relish of them.
Law
A body of principles or precepts held to express the divine will, especially as revealed in the Bible.
Justice
Conformity to truth and reality in expressing opinions and in conduct; fair representation of facts respecting merit or demerit; honesty; fidelity; impartiality; as, the justice of a description or of a judgment; historical justice.
Law
The first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Justice
The rendering to every one his due or right; just treatment; requital of desert; merited reward or punishment; that which is due to one's conduct or motives.
This even-handed justiceCommends the ingredients of our poisoned chaliceTo our own lips.
Law
A code of principles based on morality, conscience, or nature.
Justice
Agreeableness to right; equity; justness; as, the justice of a claim.
Law
A rule or custom generally established in a particular domain
The unwritten laws of good sportsmanship.
Justice
A person duly commissioned to hold courts, or to try and decide controversies and administer justice.
Law
A way of life
The law of the jungle.
Justice
To administer justice to.
Law
A statement describing a relationship observed to be invariable between or among phenomena for all cases in which the specified conditions are met
The law of gravity.
Justice
The quality of being just or fair
Law
A generalization based on consistent experience or results
The law of supply and demand.
Justice
The administration of law; the act of determining rights and assigning rewards or punishments;
Justice deferred is justice denied
Law
(Mathematics) A general principle or rule that is assumed or that has been proven to hold between expressions.
Justice
A public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice
Law
A principle of organization, procedure, or technique
The laws of grammar.
The laws of visual perspective.
Justice
The United States federal department responsible for enforcing federal laws (including the enforcement of all civil rights legislation); created in 1870
Law
(usually with "the") The body of binding rules and regulations, customs, and standards established in a community by its legislative and judicial authorities.
The courts interpret the law but should not make it.
In theory, entrapment is against the law.
Law
The body of such rules that pertain to a particular topic.
Property law
Commercial hunting and fishing law
Law
Common law, as contrasted with equity.
Law
A binding regulation or custom established in a community in this way.
There is a law against importing wallabies.
A new law forbids driving on that road.
The court ruled that the executive order was not law and nullified it.
Law
(more generally) A rule, such as:
Law
Any rule that must or should be obeyed, concerning behaviours and their consequences. mores.}}
"Do unto others as you wish them to do unto you" is a good law to follow.
The law of self-preservation
Law
A rule or principle regarding the construction of language or art.
The laws of playwriting and poetry
Law
A statement (in physics, etc) of an (observed, established) order or sequence or relationship of phenomena which is invariable under certain conditions. theory.}}
The laws of thermodynamics
Newton's third law of motion states that to every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction.
This is one of several laws derived from his general theory expounded in the Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica.
Law
A statement (of relation) that is true under specified conditions; a mathematical or logical rule.
Mathematical laws can be proved purely through mathematics, without scientific experimentation.
Law
Any statement of the relation of acts and conditions to their consequences.
The law of scarcity
The law of supply and demand
Law
(linguistics) A sound law; a regular change in the pronunciation of a language.
Grimm's law
Dahl's law
Law
(cricket) One of the official rules of cricket as codified by the its (former) governing body, the MCC.
Law
The control and order brought about by the observance of such rules.
They worked to maintain law and order.
It was a territory without law, marked by violence.
Law
(informal) A person or group that act(s) with authority to uphold such rules and order (for example, one or more police officers).
Here comes the law — run!
Then the law arrived on the scene
Law
The profession that deals with such rules (as lawyers, judges, police officers, etc).
He is studying for a career in law.
She has practiced law in New York for twenty years.
Law
Jurisprudence, the field of knowledge which encompasses these rules.
She went to university to study law.
Law
Litigation; legal action (as a means of maintaining or restoring order, redressing wrongs, etc).
They were quick to go to law.
Law
An allowance of distance or time (a head start) given to a weaker (human or animal) competitor in a race, to make the race more fair.
Law
(aviation) A mode of operation of the flight controls of a fly-by-wire aircraft.
Normal law; alternate law; direct law
Law
(fantasy) One of two metaphysical forces ruling the world in some fantasy settings, also called order, and opposed to chaos.
Law
An oath sworn before a court, especially disclaiming a debt. wager of law", "wage one's law", "perform one's law", "lose one's law".}}
Law
(obsolete) A tumulus of stones.
Law
A hill.
Law
A score; share of expense; legal charge.
Law
(obsolete) To work as a lawyer; to practice law.
Law
To prosecute or sue (someone), to litigate.
Law
(nonstandard) To rule over (with a certain effect) by law; to govern.
Law
(informal) To enforce the law.
Law
To subject to legal restrictions.
Law
(dated) An exclamation of mild surprise; lawks.
Law
In general, a rule of being or of conduct, established by an authority able to enforce its will; a controlling regulation; the mode or order according to which an agent or a power acts.
These are the statutes and judgments and laws, which the Lord made.
The law of thy God, and the law of the King.
As if they would confine the Interminable . . . Who made our laws to bind us, not himself.
His mind his kingdom, and his will his law.
Law
In morals: The will of God as the rule for the disposition and conduct of all responsible beings toward him and toward each other; a rule of living, conformable to righteousness; the rule of action as obligatory on the conscience or moral nature.
Law
The Jewish or Mosaic code, and that part of Scripture where it is written, in distinction from the gospel; hence, also, the Old Testament.
What things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law . . . But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.
Law
An organic rule, as a constitution or charter, establishing and defining the conditions of the existence of a state or other organized community.
Law
In philosophy and physics: A rule of being, operation, or change, so certain and constant that it is conceived of as imposed by the will of God or by some controlling authority; as, the law of gravitation; the laws of motion; the law heredity; the laws of thought; the laws of cause and effect; law of self-preservation.
Law
In mathematics: The rule according to which anything, as the change of value of a variable, or the value of the terms of a series, proceeds; mode or order of sequence.
Law
In arts, works, games, etc.: The rules of construction, or of procedure, conforming to the conditions of success; a principle, maxim; or usage; as, the laws of poetry, of architecture, of courtesy, or of whist.
Law
Collectively, the whole body of rules relating to one subject, or emanating from one source; - including usually the writings pertaining to them, and judicial proceedings under them; as, divine law; English law; Roman law; the law of real property; insurance law.
Law
Legal science; jurisprudence; the principles of equity; applied justice.
Reason is the life of the law; nay, the common law itself is nothing else but reason.
Law is beneficence acting by rule.
And sovereign Law, that state's collected willO'er thrones and globes elate,Sits empress, crowning good, repressing ill.
Law
Trial by the laws of the land; judicial remedy; litigation; as, to go law.
When every case in law is right.
He found law dear and left it cheap.
Law
An oath, as in the presence of a court.
Law
An exclamation of mild surprise.
Law
Legal document setting forth rules governing a particular kind of activity;
There is a law against kidnapping
Law
The collection of rules imposed by authority;
Civilization presupposes respect for the law
The great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order
Law
A generalization that describes recurring facts or events in nature;
The laws of thermodynamics
Law
A rule or body of rules of conduct inherent in human nature and essential to or binding upon human society
Law
The learned profession that is mastered by graduate study in a law school and that is responsible for the judicial system;
He studied law at Yale
Law
The force of policemen and officers;
The law came looking for him
Law
The branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do
Common Curiosities
Do all societies have the same laws?
No, laws vary widely across different societies and are shaped by cultural, historical, and societal factors.
How is justice achieved?
Justice is achieved through fair and equitable treatment of individuals, often guided by moral and ethical considerations.
What is the primary difference between law and justice?
Law is a set of enforceable rules, whereas justice is the principle of fairness and moral rightness.
What is social justice?
Social justice refers to the pursuit of equity and fairness in societal institutions, aiming to address and correct inequalities.
What is the importance of legal education in understanding law and justice?
Legal education is crucial for understanding the complexities of law and justice, enabling individuals to navigate and influence the legal system effectively.
Can laws be unjust?
Yes, laws can be unjust if they discriminate or fail to ensure fairness and equity.
Is justice always a legal matter?
No, justice can extend beyond legal matters to include moral and ethical dimensions.
How do cultural values influence justice?
Cultural values shape what is considered fair and just in a society, influencing the creation and interpretation of laws.
Who enforces laws?
Laws are enforced by institutions like courts and police.
How do laws reflect society?
Laws reflect the values, norms, and conditions of the society that creates them.
Can the same action be legal but unjust?
Yes, an action can be legal according to the law but considered unjust from a moral or ethical standpoint.
Can laws change over time?
Yes, laws can and do change to reflect new societal norms and values.
What role do judges play in justice?
Judges interpret and apply laws, aiming to achieve fair outcomes in legal disputes.
Can individuals influence laws and justice?
Yes, individuals and movements can influence changes in laws and perceptions of justice through advocacy and activism.
What is the relationship between law and society?
Law and society are deeply interconnected, with laws regulating social behavior and society influencing the creation and reform of laws.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
