What does the term 'legislation' refer to in a legal context?

In a legal context, the term 'legislation' specifically refers to laws that are enacted by a governing body through formal processes, such as a parliament or congress. This encompasses the creation of statutes or written laws that are intended to govern society and provide a framework for legal regulation. Legislation is typically made through a structured process that includes proposal, debate, amendment, and approval by the legislative body, and it often requires the signature of an executive authority to become effective.

This definition distinguishes legislation from other sources of law, such as common law, which arises from judicial decisions in individual cases, and administrative rules, which are developed by governmental agencies to enforce legislation. Additionally, while treaties are significant legal agreements between nations, they are not classified under the term legislation in the context of domestic law. Thus, the choice that defines legislation as law enacted by government through formal processes accurately captures the essence of legislative authority and function within a legal system.