A statute is a written law passed by a government, such as a parliament or congress. It is an official rule that people in that area must follow.
From Old French “statut,” from Late Latin “statutum” meaning “that which is set up, decree,” from Latin “statuere” meaning “to set up, establish,” from “status” meaning “position.” The idea is of a law being firmly set in place.
A statute is like a legal pillar: once it’s ‘set up,’ it stands there shaping what people can and can’t do. It’s different from common law, which grows from many court decisions instead of one clearly written rule.
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