a law unto themselves If somebody is a law unto themselves, they do things their own way and follow their own ideas about how to live instead of following what others do. a slap on the wrist If someone gives you a slap on the wrist, they give you a mild punishment for making a mistake or doing something wrong. a vested interest If you have a vested interest in something, you have a strong personal interest in it because you stand to gain from it. above board If something is above board, it's been done in a legal and honest way. above the law If someone is above the law, they are not subject to the laws of a society. beat the rap Informal If someone beats the rap, they avoid being found guilty of a crime. by the book If you do something by the book, you do it strictly according to the rules or the official procedures. caught red-handed If someone is caught red-handed, they are caught in the act of doing something wrong such as cheating or stealing. cook the books | cook the accounts If someone cooks the books, or cooks the accounts, they keep inaccurate accounts for a business, usually in order to pay less tax. cover your tracks If you cover your tracks, you make sure no-one can find evidence of what you've done. face the music If someone has to face the music, they have to accept the consequences of doing something wrong. fall from grace If you fall from grace, you do something that results in a loss of respect and support, especially among those who influence your life or career. feather your own nest If you feather your own nest, you use your position or your job illegally for personal gain. grease someone's palm Informal If you grease someone's palm, you pay them a bribe. keep your nose clean If you keep your nose clean, you stay out of trouble by making sure you don't do anything wrong. lay down the law If you lay down the law, you tell people what they should do in a forceful and stern way. mend your ways If you mend your ways, you improve your behaviour and stop doing things that cause trouble. red tape Strict adherence to rules and regulations so that a procedure seems to take longer than necessary. the jury is still out We can say the jury is still out when a decision still hasn't been made about something. under the table If something is done under the table, it's done secretly, usually because it's illegal or unethical. Ambulance chaser A lawyer who encourages people who have been in accidents or become ill to sue for compensation is an ambulance chaser. Barrack-room lawyer (UK) A barrack-room lawyer is a person who gives opinions on things they are not qualified to speak about. Before the ink is dry If people make an agreement or contract and then the situation changes very quickly, it changes before the ink is dry. Bring someone to book If somebody is brought to book, they are punished or made to account for something they have done wrong. Case by case If things are done case by case, each situation or issue is handled separately on its own merits and demerits. Exception that proves the rule This expression is used by many to indicate that an exception in some way confirms a rule. Others say that the exception tests the rule. In its original legal sense, it meant that a rule could sometimes be inferred from an exemption or exception. In general use, the first meaning predominates nowadays, much to the annoyance of some pedants. Eye for an eye This is an expression for retributive justice, where the punishment equals the crime. Jersey justice (UK) Jersey justice is very severe justice. Judge, jury and executioner If someone is said to be the judge, jury, and executioner, it means they are in charge of every decision made, and they have the power to be rid of whomever they choose. Jury's out If the jury's out on an issue, then there is no general agreement or consensus on it. Law unto yourself If somebody's a law unto themselves, they do what they believe is right regardless of what is generally accepted as correct. Lay down the law If someone lays down the law, they tell people what to do and are authoritarian. Letter of the law If people interpret laws and regulations strictly, ignoring the ideas behind them, they follow the letter of the law. Moot point If something's a moot point, there's some disagreement about it: a debatable point. In the U.S., this expression usually means that there is no point in debating something, because it just doesn't matter. An example: If you are arguing over whether to go the beach or to the park, but you find out the car won't start and you can't go anywhere, then the destination is said to be a moot point. Read someone the riot act If you read someone the riot act, you give them a clear warning that if they don't stop doing something, they will be in serious trouble. Signed, sealed and delivered If something's signed, sealed and delivered, it has been done correctly, following all the necessary procedures. Sod's law Sod's law states that if something can go wrong then it will. Spirit of the law The spirit of the law is the idea or ideas that the people who made the law wanted to have effect. Word of the law The word of the law means that the law is interpreted in an absolutely literal way which goes against the ideas that the lawmakers had wished to implement.