Legal Definitions - leges scriptae

Leges scriptae refers to written laws. These are legal rules that have been formally documented, enacted by a legislative body, and published, making them accessible and binding. Unlike unwritten customs or traditions, leges scriptae are explicitly recorded, providing a clear and permanent record of legal rules and obligations.

• Imagine the United States Congress passes a new law called the "Consumer Protection Act." This act is meticulously drafted, debated, voted upon, and then signed into law by the President. Once enacted, its provisions are published in official government documents, detailing regulations for product safety, fair advertising, and consumer rights. This "Consumer Protection Act" is a perfect example of leges scriptae because it is a formally written statute, officially recorded, and binding on all citizens and entities it governs.

• Consider a city council that decides to implement a new ordinance prohibiting excessive noise after 10 PM in residential areas. The council members draft the specific language of the ban, hold public hearings, vote on the proposal, and once approved, the ordinance is published in the city's municipal code. This written ordinance, detailing when and how the ban applies, is a form of leges scriptae because it is a clearly documented, enacted rule that residents and businesses must follow.

• A country's penal code, which lists specific offenses like theft, assault, and fraud, along with their corresponding penalties, is another prime illustration. This code is not based on ancient oral traditions but is a comprehensive collection of laws meticulously written, organized into chapters and sections, and formally adopted by the national legislature. Each article defining a crime and its punishment is a piece of leges scriptae, providing clear, written guidelines for what constitutes illegal behavior and the consequences thereof.