<P> Over decades and centuries, principles of law have been derived from customs . The divine right of kings, natural and legal rights, human rights, civil rights, and common law are early unwritten sources of law . Canon law and other forms of religious law form the basis for law derived from religious practices and doctrines or from sacred texts; this source of law is important where there is a state religion . Historical or judicial precedent and case law can modify or even create a source of law . Legislation, rules, and regulations are form the tangible source of laws which are codified and enforceable . </P> <P> In civil law systems, the sole source is the appropriate code, such as the civil code or the criminal code; whereas in common law systems there are several sources that combine to form "the law". Civil law systems often absorb ideas from the common law and vice-versa . Scotland, for instance, has a hybrid form of law, as does South Africa, whose law in an amalgam of common law, civil law and tribal law . </P> <P> A state may comply with international law, it may have a written or federal constitution, or it may have regional legislature, but normally it is the central national legislature that is the ultimate source of law . While a written constitution may seem to be the prime source of law, the state legislature may amend its constitution provided certain rules are followed . International law may take precedence over national law, but international law is mainly made up of conventions and treaties that have been ratified; and anything that can be ratified may be denounced later by the national parliament . Although local authorities may feel that they have a democratic mandate to pass bye - laws, the legislative power they wield has been delegated by parliament; and what parliament gives, parliament make later take away . </P> <P> In England, the archetypal common law country, there is a hierarchy of sources, as follows: </P>

What is legislation as a source of law
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