Here are some examples for second meaning:来!自~751论-文|网www.751com.cn

(3)“当事人依法可以委托代理人订立合同。” 

“The parties may conclude a contract through an agent in accordance with the law.”

(4)“发包人可以与总承包人订立建设工程合同，也可以分别与勘察人、设计人、施工人订立勘察、设计、施工承包合同。” 

“The contract letting party may enter into a construction project contract with a general contractor, or enter into a survey contract, design contract or construction contract with a surveyor, designer or constructor respectively.”

The above-mentioned examples imply that in the legal English documents, the explanation of “may” focus on “likely, possible”(可能，可以) or “perhaps”(或许). However, it is ambiguous between “possibility” (可能性)and “permission”(准许). In Chinese, we always use “可以…” to show the meaning “possibility” in legal English.