the letter of the law

/ðə lˈɛtəɹ ɒvðə lˈɔː/

/ðə lˈɛɾɚɹ ʌvðə lˈɔː/

the exact literal interpretation of a law or agreement as opposed to its general meaning

Examples

1. By sticking to the letter of the law, the spirit of the law may be lost.

2. The builders may have adhered to the letter of the law, but not its spirit.

3. The heart of all this is going beyond the letter of the law with your clients.

4. The agent counsels them obliquely against waste, repeats the letter of the law, and smiles.