Which term refers to laws enacted by a legislative body?

Statutory laws refer specifically to laws that are enacted by a legislative body. These laws are formal written codes that have been passed through the legislative process and are designed to govern various aspects of society, including but not limited to criminal conduct, civil rights, and business practices.

The significance of statutory laws lies in their authority; they are created and amended by elected representatives and provide a clear framework of regulations that citizens and entities must follow. This distinguishes them from other types of laws, such as common law, which evolves from judicial decisions rather than legislative action, or regulatory laws, which typically involve directives issued by governmental agencies. Executive orders, on the other hand, are directives issued by heads of the executive branch, primarily the president or governors, and do not originate from legislative processes. Thus, statutory laws have a unique place as a primary source of legal authority, reflecting the will of the legislative body that enacted them.