| IBEFORE | With 14- and 64-Across, familiar rule not always followed |
| HUMANLY | Adverb almost always followed by the word "possible" |
| HEYBABE | With 22-, 37- or 48-Across, familiar line |
| QUEENOFHEARTS | She plays 5 with 14 and often has queer bust |
| NORMANDY | As a rule, not all houses with place for landings |
| LUMPIER | Imp rule not OK: it's not as smooth (7) |
| LAWOFTHELAND | Rule not mainly enforced? (3,2,3,4) |
| ANON | Rule not being initiated soon (4) |
| YOKE | Oppressive rule: not white, by the sound of it |
| GAULEITER | Old governor's rule, not the first, blocking legwear item |
| RESIGN | Last of bosses will, in the rule, not go on in office (6) |
| TAPEMEASURE | Narrow rule not usually rigid (4,7) |
| OLIGARCHY | As a rule, not many get involved in it |
| EDICT | As a rule, not altogether predictable (5) |
| RASELHANOUT | Cook as a rule not including hot spice mix |
| FEIGN | Assume following rule's not right (5) |
| REINSIN | Controls and rules not good I start to notice |
| REIGN | Rule not all foreigners observe |
| TSARISM | Winter palace rule (not ruler) |
| REINS | Restrictions and rules not good |