根据英语习惯，在before the law（法律面前）这一短语中，通常要用冠词；而且 by law（根据法律）这一短语中，则通常不用冠词。如：

▲before thelaw 法律面前

All are equal before the law.  法律面前，人人平等。

We must see to it that all people are equalbefore the law. 坚持法律面前人人平等。

It is taken for granted that everyone isequal before the law. 法律面前人人平等是被认为理所当然的。

All citizens of the People's Republic of China are equalbefore the law. 中华人民共和国公民在法律面前一律平等。

▲by law 根据法律

By law, you are obliged to wear seat belts.根据法律，你必须系安全带。

Parents are obliged by law to send theirchildren to school. 法律规定父母必须送子女上学。

Officials are bound by law to investigateany possible fraud. 法律规定官员必须调查任何可能的欺诈行为。

By law, you are obliged to install smokealarms in the factory. 依据法律，你有责任在工厂安装烟雾报警器。

The rules have grown up through custom andare not laid down by law. 那些规矩是由习俗发展而来，不是法律规定的。