Important Legal Definitions
Explore legal terms, clear definitions and practical examples.
Equal Protection of the Laws (Article 14)
Constitutional & Public Law Doctrines
Definition
The positive facet of equality borrowed from the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, ensuring that equal laws must be applied to all persons in similar circumstances, both in privileges conferred and liabilities imposed.
Example
Granting free legal aid to indigent undertrials while charging standard court fees to affluent corporate litigants is constitutional under the equal protection of the laws.