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Law vocabulary · Legal Systems & Sources of Law

Statute

Meaning in law, with examples

/ˈstætʃuːt/nounCore term

In law, statute means: A written law passed by a parliament or another law-making body, as opposed to rules that come from court decisions.

In Turkish: kanun, yasa

How it is used

Common in formal and academic writing. Lawyers contrast 'statute law' with 'case law' and speak of rights 'created by statute'. In the UK individual statutes are usually called Acts, for example the Companies Act 2006.

Example sentences

  1. The time limit for this claim is set by statute, so the court cannot extend it.

  2. Is the duty based on a statute or on case law?

Common collocations

  • under statute
  • statute law
  • interpret a statute
  • created by statute
  • legislationLaws as a group, especially those made by a parliament; also the process of making these laws.
  • case lawLaw that comes from the decisions of courts rather than from statutes; the body of earlier judgments that judges and lawyers rely on.
  • regulationA detailed official rule made by a government body or agency, usually under the authority of a statute; also the general control of an activity by rules.
  • lawThe system of rules that a society enforces through its courts and the state; also a single rule passed by a parliament, or the subject you study at university.
  • statute of limitationsA law that sets a time limit for starting legal action; after this period has passed, the claim usually can no longer be brought.

More terms: Legal Systems & Sources of Law

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.