Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A grundnorm is the most important law in a society. It is the law that all other laws are based on. It is like a rule that everyone agrees to follow. In legal theory, it is the foundation of a society's legal system. It can be a simple idea, like following the rules of a king or queen, or it can be a complex system of laws, like a constitution. Basically, it is the most important rule that everyone has to follow.
Definition: The grundnorm is the basic norm from which all other laws in a society derive. It is the foundation of a legal system and determines the validity of all laws.
Example: In the legal theory of Hans Kelsen, the grundnorm is the ultimate source of validity for all laws. It may be a simple concept, such as the idea that all pronouncements of the monarch are to be obeyed, or it may be an elaborate system of lawmaking, such as a constitution.
This means that all laws in a society must be in accordance with the grundnorm in order to be considered valid. For example, if a law is passed that goes against the grundnorm of a constitution, it would be considered invalid and could be challenged in court.