Definition

Noun: 1. The formal heading of a statute or legislative bill: A "statute title" is the official, often numbered, heading that identifies a specific piece of enacted legislation or a proposed bill. It typically provides a concise label for the law's subject matter. 2. A major division within a codified body of law: In a systematic legal code, a "title" is a primary organizational unit that groups together related statutes under a broad subject area.

Usage Examples

• As a bill or act heading:
  • The proposed legislation was introduced under the statute title "Clean Energy Act of 2023."
  • You can find the relevant law by searching for its statute title.
• As a division within a code:
  • Immigration law in the United States is primarily contained in Title 8 of the U.S. Code.
  • The attorney referenced a specific provision within Title 42.

Advanced Usage

• "Short Title": Many statutes have both a formal, lengthy title and a shorter, commonly used name (e.g., the "Affordable Care Act" is the short title for a much longer statute title).
  • The act's short title is more frequently used in public discourse than its full statute title.

Variants and Related Words

• Title (n): In a legal context, this is often used interchangeably with "statute title" to refer to a numbered division of a code.
  • See U.S. Code, Title 26 for tax statutes.
• Chapter, Section (n): These are subdivisions within a Title, with "section" being a more specific unit.
  • The requirement is detailed in Title 15, Chapter 2, Section 45.

Synonyms

• Act title
• Legislative title
• Code title (when referring to a title within a consolidated code)

Notes on Different Meanings

• The word "title" has many non-legal meanings (e.g., a name of a book, a form of address, ownership rights). A "statute title" is specifically its use in the context of legislation and legal codes.

Noun

1. a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
   • Title 8 provided federal help for schools