Which legal principle asserts that no individual is above the law?

The principle that no individual is above the law is best encapsulated by the concept of the rule of law. This fundamental legal principle entails that all individuals, institutions, and entities, including the government itself, are subject to the law. The rule of law ensures that laws are applied equally and fairly, promoting accountability and transparency within the legal system.

This principle is vital in maintaining a fair society, as it protects citizens from arbitrary decisions and abuse of power by government officials or any other authority figures. It establishes that justice should be administered by impartial judges, and everyone must adhere to the same legal standards, thus reinforcing the idea that no one has the power to operate outside the framework of law.

In contrast to the rule of law, due process specifically relates to the legal procedures that must be followed to ensure fair treatment. Equal protection addresses the right of individuals to be treated equally under the law, generally in the context of discrimination. The separation of powers speaks to the allocation of governmental responsibilities among the different branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—thus ensuring a system of checks and balances but does not directly assert the concept of equality before the law for individuals.