What is the Difference Between Law and Legislation?

The difference between law and legislation lies in their definitions and the stages of their enactment.

• Legislation refers to the preparation and enactment of laws by a legislative body through its lawmaking process. It includes evaluating, amending, and voting on proposed laws and is concerned with the words used in the bill to communicate the values, judgments, and purposes of the proposal. Legislation is a bill or a draft of what might become part of the written law.
• Law refers to the rule or regulation meant to uphold the constitution and societal norms through a system of punishments for those who violate these written rules. A law is a legislation that has been enacted, signed by the executive, and has become part of the legal system.

In summary, legislation is the process of creating and passing laws, while laws are the rules and regulations that result from this process and are enforceable within the legal system.

Comparative Table: Law vs Legislation

The main difference between law and legislation is that law refers to the entire body of rules and principles that govern society, while legislation specifically refers to the process of creating new laws by a legislative body, such as a parliament or a congress. Here is a table highlighting the differences between law and legislation:

In summary, laws are the rules and principles that govern society, while legislation is the process of creating new laws through a legislative body.