What is statutory law?

Statutory law refers to laws that have been formally enacted by legislative bodies, such as Congress or state legislatures. This type of law is codified and written down, making it accessible and clear to the public. Statutory laws are created through the legislative process, where proposed laws, or bills, are debated and voted on before being signed into law by the appropriate authority, such as a governor or president.

The process ensures that statutory laws reflect the will of the elected representatives and provides a structured method for creating laws that govern society. Therefore, the definition aligns with the described answer, which emphasizes that statutory law is a product of legislatures. Understanding statutory law's role is crucial for legal clerks as it forms the foundation of the legal framework within which they operate.

Other options, such as laws based on court decisions, federal-only laws, and regulations created by administrative agencies, pertain to different legal concepts like common law, constitutional law, and administrative law, respectively. These are important elements of the legal system but do not fall under the definition of statutory law.