The Rule of Law is a system of laws that governs society. It is a set of rules that are created by government. The process of enacting laws and enforcing them is called legislative action. In modern legislation, a statutory framework authorizes agencies to develop detailed rules that are conveyed to the public through a complicated set of communication methods. This method contrasts with traditional Rule of Law models that were based on simpler communication methods.

Principles of the Rule of Law

The Rule of Law is a system that establishes a framework for legal behavior. This framework includes procedural and substantive principles. The former concern the means by which norms are administered and the institutions needed for their administration. The latter, on the other hand, is less controversial.

Legal norms

Legal norms are principles and rules that govern the conduct of societies and organisations. These rules and principles are enforced by organisations with sovereign power. These norms govern the social relationships in a society and determine the rights of individuals within a governing jurisdiction.

Statutes

A statute is a formal written enactment of legislative authority. It governs a city, state, country, or other legal entity. Statues typically command, prohibit, or declare a policy.

Common law

The common law is a system of law that is more flexible than statutory law. Because courts are not bound by precedent, they can change the law to reflect new trends. The process of change occurs gradually over time. Changes to common law can take a decade or more without any sharp break. This is because legislative bodies are often slow to act, and often defer to the common law until the problem is intolerable.

Customs

Customs law is a legal framework that governs the import and export of goods. Importers and exporters are required to file an import permit for the goods they plan to import or export. The import permit is issued only after an examination of the goods.

Rule by general norms

Rule by general norms is a form of social organization based on common rules or standards. Norms are shared ideas that people learn through social interaction and socialization. Some norms are universal, while others are specific to a small group or type of situation. They are based on a standard of value or desirability that people hold in common.