Which of the following best defines "statutory law"?

Statutory law is best defined as laws enacted by a legislative body. This type of law is created through the legislative process, where proposed laws, known as bills, are debated and voted on by elected representatives. Once these bills are approved, they become statutes and are codified in legal codes. Statutory law is distinct because it reflects the will and intent of the legislative body that created it, addressing public policy issues, rights, and responsibilities.

The other choices involve different sources of law. Laws based on judicial decisions and precedents refer to common law, which evolves from court rulings rather than legislative enactments. Laws derived from executive orders refer to commands issued by the executive branch, which carry the force of law but are not created through the legislative process. Lastly, laws that govern private disputes typically relate to civil law, which primarily involves cases between individuals or organizations rather than statutes created by legislative bodies. Understanding these distinctions is crucial, as they highlight the different pathways through which laws can be established and their respective applications.