statutory law

American  

[stach-oo-tawr-ee law] / ˈstætʃ ʊˌtɔr i ˈlɔ /

noun

1. the written law established by enactments expressing the will of the legislature, as distinguished from the unwritten law or common law.

---

statutory law Cultural  

1. A law or group of laws passed by a legislature or other official governing bodies. (Compare common law.)

---

Etymology

Origin of statutory law

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

“The whole array of statutory law and constitutional law is available.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2024

Importantly, the proposed legislative findings would ensconce in federal statutory law our national commitment to “uninhibited, robust, and wide-open” debate while recognizing that certain defamation claims are contrary to that principle.

From Slate • Jan. 22, 2023

Currently, those rights in California were established by statutory law and by court ruling.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 26, 2022

However, in a well-functioning democracy, state constitutional and statutory law should reflect the preferences of a state's people.

From Salon • Aug. 2, 2022

One short chapter of the Public Statutes contains all her statutory law touching not only divorce but several other incidental subjects.

From The New England Magazine, Volume 1, No. 5, Bay State Monthly, Volume 4, No. 5, May, 1886 by Various