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                                                                   EXHIBIT 5.1


                   [FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P. LETTERHEAD]



March 30, 1999


BindView Development Corporation
5151 San Felipe, 22nd Floor
Houston, Texas 77056

Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel for BindView Development Corporation, a Texas
corporation (the "Registrant"), in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933 of 250,514 shares of the Registrant's common stock, no
par value per share (the "Shares"), which are to be offered upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in the Netect Ltd. Employee Share Option
Plan (as amended and assumed by BindView Development Corporation) and the
Netect Ltd. 1998 International Employee Stock Plan (as amended and assumed by
BindView Development Corporation) (collectively, the "Plans").

         In connection therewith, we have examined originals or copies,
certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, the Bylaws of the
Registrant, the Plans, the records of relevant corporate proceedings with
respect to the offering of the Shares and such other documents and instruments
as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the expression of the opinions
contained herein. We also have examined the Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission with respect to the Shares.

         We have assumed the authenticity and completeness of all records,
certificates and other instruments submitted to us as originals, the conformity
to original documents of all records, certificates and other instruments
submitted to us as copies, the authenticity and completeness of the originals
of those records, certificates and other instruments submitted to us as copies
and the correctness of all statements of fact contained in all records,
certificates and other instruments that we have examined.

         Based on the foregoing, and having regard for such legal
considerations as we have deemed relevant, we are of the opinion that the
Shares have been duly and validly authorized for issuance and, when issued in
accordance with the terms of the Plans, will be duly and validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.

         The opinions expressed herein relate solely to, are based solely upon
and are limited exclusively to the laws of the State of Texas and the federal
laws of the United States of America, to the extent applicable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             /s/ FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P.

                                             Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.