what does statutory mean
“Statutory” means something that is set, required, or controlled by a law passed by a government.
What does “statutory” mean?
In plain language, statutory refers to anything that exists because a law says so —not just by custom, agreement, or practice. It usually connects to written laws made by a parliament, congress, or similar legislative body.
Key points in simple terms
- It is fixed by law : If something is statutory, it must be done or followed because the law requires it.
- It comes from statutes : A “statute” is a formal written law; “statutory” things are created or governed by those statutes.
- It is not just optional policy : A company rule might be internal, but a statutory rule is backed by law and can have legal consequences if ignored.
Everyday examples
- Statutory holidays
These are public holidays that are officially set by law, and employers must follow the legal rules about pay and time off.
- Statutory requirements
- Minimum wage set by law.
- Safety regulations a business must comply with.
- Official reporting rules for companies.
All of these are statutory because the law explicitly requires them.
- Statutory rights
Consumers, tenants, or employees often have “statutory rights” that are guaranteed by law, even if a contract tries to ignore them.
How it differs from “legal”
- Legal : Allowed by law; not forbidden.
- Statutory : Directly created, defined, or controlled by a specific law or statute.
So something can be legal without being statutory (for example, a private agreement that does not break any law), but statutory things are always tied to written laws.
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.