at law

[ at law ]

adverb

, Law.

1. (of legal proceedings or remedies) under the law, sometimes according to the common law or codified law, rather than to what is fair in a particular case; by law: Compare equity defs 4a, 4b.

   The will, now lost, would have benefited the whole community, but at law the next of kin is the sole heir.

Word History and Origins

Origin of at law¹

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

She served as a social worker, lecturer and educator before becoming an Attorney-at-Law.

From The Daily Beast

It was made imperative that a serjeant-at-law or a king's counsel should sit to assist in the judgment.

From Project Gutenberg

It could hardly be expected that the heir-at-law would have fulfilled these intentions, even had he been cognisant of them.

From Project Gutenberg

The heir-at-law was well inclined to it, but melancholy, so that the people dare not trust to a settlement from him.

From Project Gutenberg

It would be fatal to the interests of Floyd if the will should be ignored and half the estate allowed him as heir-at-law.

From Project Gutenberg

Under the laws of descent its title vests equally in the heirs-at-law, the nephews of the deceased.

From Project Gutenberg