What defines statute law?

Statute law is defined as laws that are formally enacted by legislative bodies, such as federal or provincial governments. This means that it encompasses written laws that have been developed through the legal process of legislation. When a government passes a law, it becomes statute law, which is then codified and subject to enforcement within the jurisdiction it applies to.

This approach to law is foundational in many legal systems, as it provides a clear and accessible source of law that is documented and publicly available. Statute law contrasts with other sources of law, such as common law, which is based on judicial decisions and precedents, or customary law, which is derived from societal norms and practices rather than being formally written or passed by a government body. Thus, the key characteristic that distinguishes statute law is that it is the product of the legislative process, reflecting the authority of elected representatives to create binding legal regulations.