Define: Legal Rights

Legal rights refer to entitlements and protections granted to individuals or entities by law. These rights are enforceable through the legal system and serve to safeguard fundamental interests, freedoms, and benefits. Legal rights may include civil rights, such as the right to freedom of speech, religion, and due process; human rights, which encompass basic rights inherent to all individuals, such as the right to life, liberty, and equality; and legal rights arising from contractual agreements, property ownership, or other legal relationships. The concept of legal rights is fundamental to the rule of law and ensures that individuals are treated fairly and justly within society. Violations of legal rights can lead to legal remedies, such as compensation, injunctions, or other forms of relief, to restore the rights of the affected parties.

Gone are the days when food, clothing and shelter provided for all the needs of man. Today, one can clearly see the emergence of what is called the welfare state, where man needs many other things. Amongst others, what he needs are rights—rights that are recognised and enforced by the courts of law.

In all civilised societies, law consists of those principles in accordance with which justice is administered by the state, and the administration of justice has behind it the physical power of the state for the purpose of enforcing rights and punishing wrongdoers for violations. It follows, therefore, that every right involves a title or a source from which that right is derived. The word title may be understood as the de facto antecedent, of which the right is the de jure consequence.

The concept of a right has fundamental significance in modern legal theory because one cannot live without rights that are recognised and enforced by law.

The act is right or just because it promotes some form of human interest; therefore, if any act is wrong or unjust, it means that human interests are prejudicially affected by it. It means a form of human conduct that the law takes into account and that has an influence on the interests of others. Those interests that thus receive recognition and protection are called rights. Every man who has a right to anything also has an interest in it, but he may have an interest without having a right. Therefore, a right is an interest, the violation of which is a wrong.

This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

This glossary post was last updated: 11th April, 2024.