Rechtsstaat is a doctrine in continental European legal thinking, originating in Dutch and German jurisprudence. It can be translated into English as "rule of law", alternatively "legal state", state of law, "state of justice", or "state based on justice and integrity". It means that everyone is subjected to the law, especially governments.
German stamp (1981). Rechtsstaat, Fundamental Concept of Democracy – "The legislature is bound by the constitutional order, the executive and the judiciary by law and right." (Article 20(3) GG)