apply the rule of law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apply the rule of law" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal, political, or academic contexts when discussing the enforcement or adherence to legal principles. Example: "In order to ensure justice, it is essential to apply the rule of law consistently across all cases."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

These cases could help strengthen Turkish democracy — provided the government and the judiciary scrupulously apply the rule of law.

The New York Times

"It shows we want to apply the rule of law and not let the desire for revenge take over".

The New York Times

"The only way to fight terrorism is to apply the rule of law, and some emergency measures for just one month, to bring back law and order".

The New York Times

And if you wanted to change Iraq, apply the rule of law and have more women involved and having a say about Iraq.

The Washington Post

The shootings, which occurred on Thursday in midafternoon traffic, could inflame strong anti-American sentiment in Pakistan, a possibility that the Pakistani government acknowledged while saying it would apply the rule of law.

The New York Times

We have repeatedly called on the Russian authorities to protect human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, and apply the rule of law in a non-discriminatory and proportionate way.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Back in the middle of the last century, Waring, a lawyer's lawyer from Charleston, incurred the wrath of the white establishment by listening to and ruling on civil rights cases by applying the rule of law, not the customs of segregation.

Huffington Post

He added that "the Romanian judiciary and/or legal system appears…unable to function properly when it comes to applying the rule of law against high-level corruption.

The Economist

In her book Dispatches from the Dark Side, Gareth Peirce, Britain's greatest human rights lawyer, applies the rule of law to Blair, his propagandist Alastair Campbell and his colluding cabinet.

The Guardian - Opinion

Based on this vision, the revolutionary discourse within the Arab world – and public debate beyond it – has mostly focused on making the political process more open and transparent, as well as applying the rule of law fairly and equally.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cautious statements from the European Union and the American State Department duly followed, while a harsher line came from a number of American senators.The government insists that it is simply applying the rule of law.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal systems or international relations, use "apply the rule of law" to emphasize the importance of impartiality and due process.

Common error

Don't confuse "apply the rule of law", which is about upholding legal principles, with "law enforcement", which refers to the specific agencies and activities involved in policing and crime prevention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apply the rule of law" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of putting legal principles into practice and ensuring they are consistently followed. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "apply the rule of law" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, denoting the act of implementing and enforcing legal principles fairly and consistently. It is commonly used in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific discourse, emphasizing the importance of impartiality and due process. Alternatives like "implement the rule of law" or "enforce the rule of law" can be used for semantic variety. When using this phrase, focus on impartiality and adherence to legal standards to ensure clarity and accuracy. Remember, "apply the rule of law" differs significantly from "law enforcement", which is about the activities of police and similar agencies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implement the rule of law

Focuses on the action of putting the rule of law into effect.

enforce the rule of law

Emphasizes the active enforcement and upholding of legal principles.

uphold the rule of law

Highlights the act of maintaining and supporting the rule of law.

maintain the rule of law

Stresses the need to preserve and continue the rule of law.

adhere to the rule of law

Focuses on compliance and obedience to the rule of law.

abide by the rule of law

Stresses the commitment to follow and respect legal principles.

execute the rule of law

Emphasizes the practical execution and application of legal principles.

administer the rule of law

Highlights the process of managing and overseeing the rule of law.

practice the rule of law

Focuses on the routine and habitual application of legal principles.

assert the rule of law

Highlights the act of confidently affirming and defending legal principles.

FAQs

What does it mean to "apply the rule of law"?

To "apply the rule of law" means to ensure that legal principles are consistently and impartially enforced and followed, guaranteeing due process and fairness in legal proceedings.

How can governments "apply the rule of law" effectively?

Governments can "apply the rule of law" effectively by establishing independent judiciaries, ensuring transparent legal processes, and holding all individuals accountable under the same laws.

What are some alternatives to "apply the rule of law"?

You can use alternatives like "implement the rule of law", "enforce the rule of law", or "uphold the rule of law depending on the context.

Why is it important to "apply the rule of law" in a society?

It is important to "apply the rule of law" to ensure justice, protect individual rights, and maintain social order by preventing arbitrary actions and promoting equality before the law.