llei

Llei is the Catalan word for law. It denotes a rule or set of rules established by a government, state, or other authority and recognized as binding on persons within a jurisdiction. A llei typically has a formal legislative origin, distinguishes statutes from regulations, and can address rights, duties, and procedures.

Etymology: The term comes from Latin lex, legis, through the development of Romance languages into Catalan. In Catalan, the definite form is la llei for "the law" and les lleis for "the laws." The word llei is feminine, and plurals are lleis.

Usage and scope: In Catalan legal language, llei refers to statutes enacted by a legislative body, such as parliament. Laws may be complemented by reglament (regulations) and ordenances (local ordinances). In some contexts, the phrase llei orgànica is used to describe organic laws that regulate powers under a constitution; other designations include lleis de bases or lleis d’estat, depending on the jurisdiction.

Examples: La llei de protecció de dades governs data privacy in Catalonia and within Spain’s legal framework (and broadly aligns with EU GDPR principles). La llei educativa catalana defines the education system at the autonomous community level.

See also: law in Catalan; llei; lleis; reglament; codi.