statute

Statute is a formal written law enacted by a legislative body, such as a parliament or congress. It sets out rules that govern conduct, rights, duties, and penalties within a jurisdiction. Statutes are distinct from case law, which develops from judicial decisions, and from administrative regulations, which provide detailed rules to implement statutes. They are typically codified in statutory codes or similar compilations for accessible reference.

Enactment and codification: A statute begins as a bill that is debated and revised in committees, then approved by a legislative majority and, in many systems, signed by an executive authority to become law. After enactment, statutes are organized, indexed, and stored in codes or databases so that the public can locate the applicable provisions and understand current law.

Interpretation and application: Courts interpret statutes to resolve disputes, determining the legislature’s intent, the statute’s scope, and how it applies to particular facts. When language is ambiguous, they may rely on rules of construction, legislative history, or constitutional limits. Statutes may be read in light of other laws, and they can be challenged for violating constitutional rights.

Features and variation: Statutes may be permanent or temporary, and can include sunset clauses, amendments, or repeals. They may also authorize regulations that provide detailed enforcement rules. In common usage, a statute is the primary source of legal authority on a given subject, with regulations and case law filling in practical detail.

Relation to other law and jurisdiction: In many legal systems, statutes have binding authority and take precedence over inconsistent common law, subject to constitutional constraints. Statutory interpretation and enforcement depend on jurisdictional context, and the precise effect of a statute may vary across countries or states.