What is the meaning of lawful order?

Answer 1

An unlawful order is one that is clearly outside the authority of the person giving it.

Ordering someone to commit a crime is clearly unlawful. Killing a civilian (meaning an unarmed non-combatant, not simply someone who doesn't wear a uniform; an armed civilian is a combatant and thus a legal target) would be an example.

Countermanding an order of a superior officer is one that occurs, but is not necessarily unlawful, it can get into sticky situations.

Answer 2

A lawful order is any order given by a superior officer. With the exception of orders that violate military regulation. A common misconception is that only certain people can give lawful orders and others give direct orders. The term "Direct Order" is actually informal and is not mentioned in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The UCMJ does point out that lawful orders are given by commisioned officers, warrant officers, noncommissioned officers, and petty officers in both Articles 90 and 91.

Answer 3

Lawful order is a plea in court that allows a subordinate not to held accountable for actions undertaken under orders from their superiors. It is also called superior orders.

Answer 4

The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ, 64 Stat. 109, 10 U.S.C. ch.47) is the foundation of military law in the United States.