Which type of law includes rules made by legislative bodies?

Statutory law is composed of laws that are enacted by legislative bodies, such as Congress at the federal level or state legislatures at the state level. When these bodies draft and pass legislation, it becomes statutory law, which is codified and typically published in statutes. This type of law is designed to govern various aspects of society and often addresses specific issues such as criminal behavior, business operations, and civil rights.

The significance of statutory law lies in its clarity and accessibility, as it is written down in a formalized manner, allowing individuals and entities to easily understand the rules they are expected to follow. Statutory law takes precedence over common law in areas where the two might conflict, establishing clear guidelines for legal conduct.

In contrast, common law is developed through judicial decisions and precedents rather than through legislative statutes. Constitutional law refers to laws that derive from the constitution and govern the structure and function of government, while international law consists of rules and agreements between nations. Each of these areas plays a unique role in the legal framework but does not focus specifically on rules made by legislative bodies like statutory law does.