Bye law

Bye-law (also known as bylaw or byelaw) is a rule or law established by an organization or community to regulate itself, as allowed or provided for by some higher authority. The higher authority, generally a legislature or some other government body, establishes the degree of control that the by-laws may exercise.

Origin and Usage

The term "bye-law" is of Old English origin, where the word "bȳ" meant "village" or "settlement". In this context, a "bye-law" represents laws that were brought into existence by a local or smaller community, rather than by a national or central authority.

Bye-laws are typically used by corporations and organizations such as homeowners associations, schools, and non-profit organizations to self-regulate their activities. They are also used by municipalities and regional governments to control activities within their jurisdictions.

Types of Bye-Laws

There are several types of bye-laws, including:

• Corporate Bye-Laws: These are established by corporations to govern the operation and management of the corporation. They typically cover topics such as the election of directors, the roles and responsibilities of officers, and the conduct of meetings.

• Municipal Bye-Laws: These are established by municipalities to regulate activities within their jurisdictions. They often cover issues such as zoning, noise control, and animal control.

• Organizational Bye-Laws: These are established by non-profit organizations, clubs, and other groups to govern their internal operations. They typically cover issues such as membership, meeting procedures, and officer roles and responsibilities.

Enforcement

Bye-laws are enforceable by the body that created them, and in some cases, by other authorized bodies. For example, a corporation can enforce its bye-laws through its board of directors, and a municipality can enforce its bye-laws through by-law enforcement officers or the police.

See Also

• Law
• Corporation
• Municipality
• Non-profit organization