Statute law

Statute law or legislative law refers to laws that have been written down and codified by a legislative authority. This is in contrast to common law, which is based on precedents and judicial decisions. Statute law is typically established by a legislature or its delegated agents.

Overview

Statute law is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs a state, city, or county. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. The word is often used to distinguish law made by legislative bodies from case law, and the regulations issued by Government agencies.

Creation of Statute Law

Statute laws are created through a process that begins with a proposal for a new law, or an amendment to an existing one, that is presented in the legislature in the form of a bill. After the bill is debated and discussed, it may be voted on. If it is approved, it becomes a statute law.

Interpretation of Statute Law

The interpretation of statute law is primarily the role of the judiciary. Judges interpret the statutes and apply them to individual cases. This interpretation can involve applying the statute to facts in a particular case, and also interpreting the language of the statute itself.

Types of Statute Law

Statute laws can be classified into two types: public law and private law. Public law relates to the state, and private law governs the relationships between individuals.

See Also

• Common law
• Legislature
• Bill (law)
• Public law
• Private law