Federal Law

What is Federal Law?

Federal law refers to the body of laws created by the central government of a country with a federal system. In such systems, multiple political units (like states or provinces) form a federation, delegating certain powers to the central government while retaining others. This results in multiple levels of government within a defined territory.

Categories of Federal Law

In countries like the United States, federal law is categorized into four main types:

1. Statutory Law: Enacted by the legislative branch, this includes laws passed by Congress.
2. Regulatory Law: Created by executive agencies to implement and enforce statutory laws.
3. Case Law: Judicial decisions that interpret and apply statutory and regulatory laws.
4. Constitutional Law: Based on the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land and cannot be contradicted by other laws.

Process of Enacting Federal Law

In the United States, federal legislation begins as a bill introduced in Congress. It becomes law after being signed by the President or enacted over a presidential veto. Once enacted, laws are published in various forms, including slip laws, session laws (Statutes at Large), and codes like the United States Code.

Purpose and Scope

Federal laws address matters that are national in scope, such as defense, foreign policy, and interstate commerce. They also provide a framework for relations between states and the federal government, ensuring consistency and unity across the country.