Legal Custom
/ˈliːɡəl ˈkʌstəm/
Definitions
- (n.) A practice or usage established by long-standing tradition within a particular jurisdiction, accepted as legally binding though not codified in statutes.
The court recognized the legal custom as a valid source of law in the dispute.
- (n.) A norm or rule deriving authority from consistent and general practice accepted by a community or profession as obligatory.
Legal custom often supplements statutory law in areas lacking explicit legislation.
Forms
- legal custom
- legal customs
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Legal custom functions as a secondary source of law, often filling gaps where statutes are silent, and should be clearly distinguished from mere social customs by its recognized legal authority.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.