rule of law - a basic principle of justice in English law, that all men are equal in regard to the law, including the government and its officials; that no one can be punished except by order of a court of law; and that every citizen has the right to personal freedom, and freedom of speech, of meeting and of association, rule of law - a legal principle, of general application, sanctioned by the recognition of authorities, and usually expressed in the form of a maxim or logical proposition; it provides that decisions should be made by the application of known principles or laws without the intervention of discretion in their application