プログレッシブ和英中辞典(第4版)の解説
てきほう【適法】
この運動は適法と認められている
This movement is 「allowed by (the) law [perfectly legitimate/permissible under the rules].
警官のとった処置は適法であった
The measures the policemen took were lawful.
適法行為
a lawful act; a legal act
彼がその金を受け取ったのは適法行為ではなかった
It was 「not lawful [unlawful] for him to receive the money.