Also known as: licitly · lawful · legal
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An adjective characterizing an act, status, or arrangement that the law permits rather than prohibits.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Lucia Lopez signed a contract to purchase land from Lattice Systems. A storm destroyed the main building before closing. Lucia remains obligated to complete the purchase at the contract price because her equitable ownership makes the duty licit under the majority rule.
Lily Lopez, counsel for Liberty Trust, filed a complaint after reasonable inquiry. The legal contentions rest on existing precedent and a nonfrivolous extension argument. The filing is licit under the certification requirements.
Latoya Lane seeks to introduce a witness's earlier deposition testimony. The declarant is unavailable and the opposing party had an opportunity to examine the witness. The evidence is licit under the former-testimony exception.
Luna Lang, a sitting judge, reviewed documents for her adult child without compensation. She did not appear in court on the child's behalf. The conduct is licit under the family-advice exception.
Lila Lin left a government agency with confidential information about a regulated firm. Her new firm screens her from the matter and apportions her no fee. The representation is licit under the screening safe harbor.
Liam Larson, an agent for Legacy Motors, signed a supply contract after the principal expressly authorized the deal. The signature binds the principal. The act is licit because it follows the principal's manifestations of consent.
Conduct is licit when it satisfies the rule's requirements rather than violating them. For example, a pleading is licit under Rule 11 when its legal contentions rest on existing law or a nonfrivolous argument for change.
Licit status follows the jurisdiction's chosen rule. Under the majority approach the buyer's obligation remains licit even after destruction of improvements. A minority statute may shift the risk and change what is licit.
A judge may give uncompensated legal advice or draft documents for family members. Serving as the family member's lawyer in any forum is not licit.
…by the principles and usages of law.' It is a general principle that a mandamus lies if there be no other adequate, specific, legal remedy. The writ is of extensive remedial nature and issues where the party has a right to have anything done and no other specific means of compelling its performance. Many English cases…