required or established by law

statutory

adjective|/ˈstætʃ.ə.tɔːr.i/

Required, permitted, or created by written law

Examples

In a meeting

There's a statutory waiting period of 30 days before the merger can be finalized.

Over coffee

Maternity leave is statutory here—it's guaranteed by law.

Why this word

legal

statutory specifically refers to law created by legislation or statute, while legal broadly means anything relating to law

official

statutory indicates basis in written law passed by legislature, while official just means authorized or formal

required

statutory specifies that something is mandated by statute, while required could stem from any authority or rule

Usage tip

Use to distinguish legally mandated requirements from voluntary policies or common law principles.

Etymology

From 'statute' via Latin 'statutum' (something set up, from 'statuere' to set up)

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