In the present article the understanding of the lawfulness in a legal state isconsidered . In particular, the author notes that legality is the main principle of the rule of law. In addition, it is noted that the precise implementation of democratic laws entails the implementation of other legally enshrined principles, such as: separation of powers, democracy, sovereignty of the people, recognition and guarantee of human rights, etc. The author concludes that at present, the idea of a legal state, as applied to the Republic of Kazakhstan, is in the phase of its implementation.