Which of the following best defines statutory law?

Statutory law is best defined as legislation that commands or prohibits specific actions. This type of law is established by enactments of the legislative body, such as Congress or state legislatures, and it includes statutes that dictate specific behaviors, rights, and responsibilities. Statutory laws are written laws that are formally enacted, providing clear guidelines for conduct and outlining legal obligations.

In contrast to rules created by judges, which are known as case law or judicial law, statutory law is rooted in formal legislative processes and is intended to apply broadly to the public. While guidelines based on precedence refer to the principle of considering previous judicial decisions in new cases, statutory law does not rely on past case law but rather on written statutes. Similarly, laws focused on personal rights might be represented in statutory form but are not exclusively defined by the nature of statutory law itself, as this law encompasses a wider range of topics beyond just personal rights. Therefore, recognizing that statutory law specifically encompasses legislation that defines what actions are required or prohibited makes it the most accurate definition among the choices provided.