un·law·ful / ˌənˈlôfəl/ • adj. not conforming to, permitted by, or recognized by law or rules: the use of unlawful violence they claimed the ban was unlawful.DERIVATIVES: un·law·ful·ly / -f(ə)lē/ adv.un·law·ful·ness n.

UNLAWFUL

Contrary to or unauthorized by law; illegal.

When applied to promises, agreements, or contracts, the term denotes that such agreements have no legal effect. The law disapproves of such conduct because it is immoral or contrary to public policy. Unlawful does not necessarily imply criminality, although the term is sufficiently broad to include it.