rule-governed vs lawful

rule-governed and lawful both are adjectives.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
rule-governed	No	Yes	No	No
lawful	No	Yes	No	No

As adjectives, rule-governed and lawful are synonyms defined as:

rule-governed (adjective)	lawful (adjective)
according to custom or rule or natural law	conformable to or allowed by law
	authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law
	having a legally established claim
	according to custom or rule or natural law