meginreglum

Meginreglum is a term used in legal and political theory to denote a set of core principles or rules considered foundational to a legal order or organization. The word derives from Icelandic megin (main, principal) and reglur (rules) and is typically translated as "main rules" or "principal regulations." In theoretical use, a meginreglum functions as a highest normative layer that guides interpretation and application of subordinate norms and may constrain revisions to ordinary statutes. It is often discussed as an abstract or aspirational framework that may be codified in a constitution, charter, or organizational founding document, but remains subject to democratic processes. The term is generally treated as a theoretical construct rather than a widely adopted category in real-world law.

In practice, a meginreglum would specify fundamental rights, the purposes of the regime, and the conditions for legitimate authority, including separation of powers, checks and balances, and non-derogable protections. It helps resolve ambiguities when ordinary laws clash or when constitutional amendments are considered. In multinational or corporate contexts, related concepts may be described as core governance principles, guiding compliance and risk management.

The concept is debated: critics argue that fixing a meginreglum risks rigidity and arbitrariness in selecting what counts as fundamental, and may encroach on democratic legitimacy if treated as beyond ordinary amendment. Proponents counter that a clearly articulated meginreglum can safeguard rights and ensure consistency across legal orders, especially in times of crisis. The term remains a theoretical construct within discussions of constitutional design and legal theory rather than a universally recognized category.