equality before the law
principle that each individual must be treated equally by the law without discrimination or privileges by the government
Article
Graffiti in Cape Town: "All shall be equal before the law."
Equality before the law, known as equality under the law, equality in the eyes of the law, legal equality, or legal egalitarianism, is the principle that all people must be equally protected by the law. The principle requires a systematic rule of law that observes due process to provide equal justice and requires equal protection ensuring that no individual nor group of individuals is privileged over others by the law. Also called the principle of isonomy, it arises from various philosophical questions concerning equality, fairness and justice. Equality before the law is one of the basic principles of some definitions of liberalism. The principle of equality before the law is incompatible with and does not exist within systems incorporating legal slavery, servitude, colonialism, oligarchy, aristocracy, or absolute monarchy.