One of the fundamental pillars of the rule of law is equality before the law.
The principle is clear: the law must apply equally to all citizens, regardless of their surname, their position, or their bank account.
However, there is a widespread myth: the idea that people with political, economic, or social power receive more lenient treatment from the justice system.
Is this really the case?
The myth of the impunity of the powerful
As Ignacio Estradé explains in one of our TikTok videos, this belief is a partial myth..
¿Por qué?
Because if we analyze major judicial proceedings and large-scale cases, we find numerous examples of highly influential individuals who have been investigated, tried, and convicted.
Cases such as:
- The Nóos case
- The Gürtel case
- The Andalusia ERE case
demonstrate that justice does reach individuals with significant political, economic, and social power.No one has been excluded from legal proceedings due to their public relevance.
The other side of the reality: access to legal defense
However, denying a certain reality would be naïve.
People with significant financial resources can invest in highly complex legal defenses, with large teams, specialized expert reports, and high-level procedural strategies.
This does not mean that they are above the law, but it can have a positive impact on how the proceedings develop:
- Better technical preparation.
- Greater capacity for evidentiary analysis.
- More sophisticated procedural strategies.
The difference, therefore, does not lie in the application of the law, but in the means available to exercise the right to defense.
Equality before the law does not mean equality of resources
This nuance is essential to understanding the judicial system.
The law is the same for everyone, but the resources to face it are not always the same.
That is why the following are so important:
- Access to free legal aid.
- The quality of court-appointed defense counsel.
- And the commitment of law firms to social justice and pro bono work.
Because truly fair justice must not only be impartial, but also accessible..
The true beginning of the rule of law
Ignacio Estradé sums it up clearly:
The rule of law begins when no one is above the law.
When the law ceases to be applied because of power, influence, or money, it stops being justice and becomes privilege.
At Estradé Law Firm, we stand for a clear vision:
Justice must be equal, firm, and rights-protective, but also aware of the real inequalities that exist in society.
Because the law belongs to everyone. And it only works when it truly does.
