The requirement that laws are applied equally to all individuals is known as what?

The requirement that laws are applied equally to all individuals is known as equal protection under the law. This principle is rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which mandates that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction "the equal protection of the laws." This means that individuals in similar situations should receive similar treatment from the law, promoting fairness and preventing discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or other characteristics.

This principle is essential in maintaining a just legal system, ensuring that everyone has access to the same rights and protections, regardless of their background. The equal protection clause is often invoked in civil rights cases, where individuals challenge laws or government actions that they believe unfairly discriminate against a particular group.

In contrast, constitutional law refers to the body of law that defines the role and structure of different entities within a state, primarily focusing on the Constitution itself. Judicial review is the power of courts to examine the actions of legislative and executive branches and determine their constitutionality. Due process of law refers to the legal requirement that individuals must be afforded fair procedures before the government can deprive them of life, liberty, or property. Each of these concepts plays a role in the legal system, but equal protection under the law specifically addresses