A formulation of lattice theory as a system of rules added to sequent calculus is given. The analysis of proofs for the contraction-free calculus of classical predicate logic known as G3c extends to derivations with the mathematical rules of lattice theory. It is shown that minimal derivations of quantifier-free sequents enjoy a subterm property: all terms in such derivations are terms in the endsequent.

An alternative formulation of lattice theory as a system of rules in natural deduction style is given, both with explicit meet and join constructions and as a relational theory with existence axioms. A subterm property for the latter extends the standard decidable classes of quantificational formulas of pure predicate calculus to lattice theory.