Constitution vs. Statute — What's the Difference?

Fundamental and supreme law of a nation.

Amenable to changes as societal norms evolve.

Sets the framework within which laws are made and government operates.

A law enacted by the legislative branch of government.

Often includes a bill of rights.

Must be in compliance with the constitution.

Designed to last and change infrequently.

Covers a variety of public policy areas.

Highest legal authority, overruling conflicting statutes.

Specific and detailed in nature.

A constitution is an aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed.When these principles are written down into a single document or set of legal documents, those documents may be said to embody a written constitution; if they are encompassed in a single comprehensive document, it is said to embody a codified constitution. The Constitution of the United Kingdom is a notable example of an uncodified constitution; it is instead written in numerous fundamental Acts of a legislature, court cases or treaties.Constitutions concern different levels of organizations, from sovereign countries to companies and unincorporated associations.

A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs the legal entities of a city, state, or country by way of consent. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy.

The act or process of composing, setting up, or establishing.

A law enacted by a legislature.

The composition or structure of something; makeup.

A decree or edict, as of a ruler.

The physical makeup of a person

Written law, as laid down by the legislature.

The system of fundamental laws and principles that prescribes the nature, functions, and limits of a government or another institution.

An act of a corporation or of its founder, intended as a permanent rule or law; as, the statutes of a university.

The document in which such a system is recorded.

An assemblage of farming servants (held possibly by statute) for the purpose of being hired; - called also statute fair.

Constitution The supreme law of the United States, consisting of the document ratified by the original thirteen states (1787-1790) and subsequent amendments.

An act passed by a legislative body

The act, or process of setting something up, or establishing something; the composition or structure of such a thing; its makeup.

Enacted by a legislative body;

(government) The formal or informal system of primary principles and laws that regulates a government or other institutions.

(law) A legal document describing such a formal system.

(Catholicism) A document issued by a religious authority serving to promulgate some particular church laws or doctrines.

A person's physical makeup or temperament, especially in respect of robustness.

(dated) The general health of a person.

The act or process of constituting; the action of enacting, establishing, or appointing; enactment; establishment; formation.

The state of being; that form of being, or structure and connection of parts, which constitutes and characterizes a system or body; natural condition; structure; texture; conformation.

The aggregate of all one's inherited physical qualities; the aggregate of the vital powers of an individual, with reference to ability to endure hardship, resist disease, etc.; as, a robust constitution.

The aggregate of mental qualities; temperament.

The fundamental, organic law or principles of government of men, embodied in written documents, or implied in the institutions and usages of the country or society; also, a written instrument embodying such organic law, and laying down fundamental rules and principles for the conduct of affairs.

An authoritative ordinance, regulation or enactment; especially, one made by a Roman emperor, or one affecting ecclesiastical doctrine or discipline; as, the constitutions of Justinian.

Law determining the fundamental political principles of a government

The act of forming something;

The way in which someone or something is composed

United States 44-gun frigate that was one of the first three naval ships built by the United States; it won brilliant victories over British frigates during the War of 1812 and is without doubt the most famous ship in the history of the United States Navy; it has been rebuilt and is anchored in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston

Because it sets the foundational legal and governmental structure, and all other laws, including statutes, must conform to it.

A constitution is the supreme legal framework of a country, while a statute is a specific law made within that framework.

Constitutions are typically created through a foundational national process, possibly involving a constitutional convention or referendum, whereas statutes are enacted by legislative bodies.

Constitutions change infrequently and usually require a complex process, while statutes can be amended more regularly and easily.

Statutes must respect constitutional rights; they cannot infringe upon these rights without facing legal challenges.

It must be passed by the legislative body and, depending on the country, may require executive approval.

Judicial review processes ensure statutes conform to constitutional standards.

No, constitutions have supremacy over statutes, and any statute that conflicts with the constitution can be deemed invalid.

Most countries have a constitution, but the nature and structure can vary significantly.

Judges interpret both constitutions and statutes and ensure that statutes conform to constitutional requirements.

Amendments can render existing statutes obsolete or require modifications to align with the new constitutional mandates.

It can be struck down or invalidated by the judiciary.

The right to free speech; statutes that limit speech must carefully align with constitutional protections.

Because they are designed to provide stable and enduring legal and governmental structures.

Yes, some statutes are designed to be temporary, often to address specific, short-term issues.