zakoni

Zakoni is the plural form of zakon in several South Slavic languages, including Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, and Slovenian, meaning "laws" or "statutes." In these legal systems, a zakon refers to a written rule enacted by a legislative body and having general binding force. Zakoni constitute a core category of legal norms, distinct from other sources such as constitutional acts, decrees or bylaws, and the judge-made or customary law found in some systems. They are typically published in official gazettes and gain effect from a specified date unless stated otherwise.

The content of zakoni covers a wide range of areas, including civil obligations, property, contracts, criminal offences, administrative procedures, taxation, and public order. They may be codified in a comprehensive code or enacted as individual statutes. In practice, zakoni interact with other legal sources, including constitutional provisions, customary law, and international treaties, and they are interpreted by courts and applied by administrative bodies.

Historically, the region has undergone periods of codification and reform, leading to major civil and criminal codes and numerous sector-specific laws. In modern states, zakoni are the primary instrument by which the legislature expresses the will of the people and shapes regulatory, economic, and social policy. The term is also used in education and government to refer to a body of statutes rather than case law or doctrinal writings.