Definition

Noun: A comprehensive and official compilation of the statutes (laws enacted by a legislative body) currently in force within a specific jurisdiction, such as a country or state. It represents the complete written body of legislation.

Usage

The term "statute book" is used to refer to the entire collection of enacted laws. It is often discussed in contexts of legal reform, the addition or repeal of laws, and the state of the law in general. - The new act will be added to the statute book next month. - Many outdated laws remain on the statute book despite not being enforced. - The government promised to remove that controversial clause from the statute book.

Advanced Usage

• "On the statute book": This phrase describes a law that has been formally enacted and is part of the official body of legislation. It emphasizes the law's official, recorded status.
  • The Equality Act has been on the statute book for over a decade.
• "To clear/cleanse the statute book": This refers to the process of repealing obsolete or unnecessary laws to simplify the legal code.
  • The commission's task is to cleanse the statute book of archaic regulations.

Variants and Related Words

• Statutory (adj): Related to or enacted by a statute. is law created by statutes, as opposed to common law.
• Code (n): A systematic and comprehensive compilation of laws, rules, or regulations. While a "statute book" contains all statutes, a "code" is often a topically organized and consolidated version.
• Legislation (n): Laws, considered collectively, or the process of making laws.

Synonyms

• Body of statute law
• Legal code (in a general sense)
• Statute law

Related Phrases

• The letter of the law: The precise wording of a statute, as found in the statute book, as opposed to its spirit or intent.
• To be enacted into law: The process by which a bill becomes a statute and is placed on the statute book.

Noun

1. a record of the whole body of legislation in a given jurisdiction