Legal Terminology and Texts in English Sources of law

legislation It is the principal source of modern law. It means the formation of legal rules by the competent authority.

Custom Custom is defined as the “a practice of the people which by common adaption and acquiescence and by long and unvarying habit, has become compulsory”. Custom should be general, ancient, stable and continuous. Custom should not contravene the provisions of the law, public order or morals.

equity Equity in its broad sense means fairness, reasonableness and natural justice.

Judicial precedent (case law) This source consists of the decisions of courts made in the course of litigation. The decisions of certain courts are more than just authoritative statements of the law since they can be binding in subsequent cases where the legally material facts are the same, whether or not the later courts considers them to be correct or appropriate.

Jurisprudence It is also known as legal opinion.