legislation

Legislation is a word used to describe written laws passed by the legislature (namely Parliament, which is the sovereign power in a state) and by delegating this power to an authority or instrumentality. Legislation is made by a formal procedure in democracies. The word is also used to describe the whole body of enacted laws.

Legislation enacted by parliament is contained in individual bodies of work referred to as a “statute”, such as the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Subordinate legislation is a reference to laws made by an authority or instrumentality.

Before statutes are passed into law, they are known as “bills” during parliamentary debates and review by appropriate committees of the respective Houses of Parliament, the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Usage: The legislation was passed by Parliament.

Related Words: delegated legislation; subordinate legislation; statutory instrumentality; Act of Parliament.