Statute

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A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative body,^[1] a stage in the process of legislation. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy.^[1] Statutes are laws made by legislative bodies; they are distinguished from case law or precedent, which is decided by courts, regulations issued by government agencies, and oral or customary law.^{[1][2][better source needed]} Statutes may originate with the legislative body of a country, state or province, county, or municipality.

The word "statute" is derived from the late Latin word "statutum", which means 'law', 'decree'.