Legally Meaning
Legally Definition & Usage
In accordance with the law or legal principles.
Examples
- "The contract was legally binding once signed by both parties."
- "You cannot legally drive without a valid license."
- "They were arrested for legally trespassing on private property."
- "The company was legally obligated to pay the fine after the investigation."
- "It is important to ensure that your actions are legally sound to avoid penalties."
In a manner that is ethically or morally justified, regardless of strict legal status.
Examples
- "Although the procedure was not legally required, it was performed legally from an ethical standpoint."
- "He tried to justify his actions as legally acceptable, though his intentions were questionable."
- "The lawyer argued that, though not legally necessary, the decision was morally legal."
- "They acted legally by prioritizing transparency, even when not mandated by the law."
- "Some actions, while not illegal, may not be legally sound in terms of best practices."
Cultural Context
The word 'legally' originates from Latin, particularly from the root word 'lex', meaning law. In modern English, it refers to actions or conditions that comply with established laws, regulations, or judicial principles.
The Gray Area of Law and Morality
Story
The Gray Area of Law and Morality
Samantha had always been a principled lawyer, but as she sat in her office, reviewing a new case, she found herself grappling with a tricky issue. The company she worked for was accused of trespassing on private property, but there was a twist. While they had legally entered the land, their actions had caused considerable damage to the environment. The landowner had not filed a legal complaint yet, but Samantha was aware of the ethical gray area. In her review of the case, she noted, 'We are legally in the right, but that doesn't make what we did morally acceptable.' Her colleague, James, a fellow lawyer, disagreed. 'But legally speaking,' he said, 'they've done nothing wrong. It's not our job to fix their feelings about it.' Samantha wasn't so sure. She looked at the legal documents, the contract they had signed, and the rules they followed to ensure their operation was legally compliant. Still, the unease in her stomach remained. Was it really enough to be legally justified? Or did they need to take further ethical considerations into account? Was it enough to just be legally safe, or did they have a responsibility to act in a more morally sound way? The next day, Samantha took the case to her boss, suggesting they implement an internal review system. 'It's important,' she said, 'that we operate legally, yes, but we must also ensure that we maintain our ethical standards.' In the end, the company didn’t face legal penalties, but they did opt for a voluntary clean-up initiative, recognizing that just because something was legally sound, it wasn’t always the right thing to do. Samantha’s position remained clear: 'Being legally correct doesn’t always make it ethically right.'
Related Words
