Etymology
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary indicates that the origin of the word by-law is from the English word ''bilawe'', probably from Old Norse ''*bȳlǫg'', from Old Norse ''bȳr'' town + ''lag-, lǫg'' law. The earliest use of the term, which originates from the Viking town law in the Danelaw, wherein ''by'' is the Old Norse word for a larger settlement as in Whitby and Derby (compare with the modern Danish-Norwegian word ''by'' meaning town, or the modern Swedish word ''by'', meaning village). Oxford English Dictionary online entry for "by-law" (subscription required) However, it is also possible that this usage was forgotten and the word was "reinvented" in modern times through the use of the adverbial prefix ''by-'' giving the meaning of subsidiary law or side-law (as in '' byway''). In either case, it is incorrect to claim that the origin of the word is simply the prepositional phrase "by law."Municipal by-laws
Municipal by-laws are public regulatory laws which apply in a certain area. The main difference between a by-law and a law passed by a national/federal or regional/state body is that a by-law is made by a non-sovereign body, which derives its authority from another governing body, and can only be made on a limited range of matters. A local council or municipal government derives its power to pass laws through a law of the national or regional government which specifies what things the town or city may regulate through by-laws. It is therefore a form of delegated legislation. Within its jurisdiction and specific to those areas mandated by the higher body, a municipal by-law is no different from any other law of the land, and can be enforced with penalties, challenged in court and must comply with other laws of the land, such as the country's constitution. Municipal by-laws are often enforcable through the public justice system, and offenders can be charged with a criminal offence for breach of a by-law. Common by-laws include vehicle parking and stopping regulations, animal control, building and construction, licensing, noise, zoning and business regulation, and management of public recreation areas.By-laws in Japan
Under Article 94 of theUnited Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, by-laws are laws of local or limited application made by local councils or other bodies, using powers granted by an Act of Parliament, and so are a form of delegated legislation.Australia
In Australian Law there are five types of by-law, and they are established by statute: * State government authorities create By-laws as a type of "statutory rule" under an empowering Act, and are ''made'' by the State governor. * Local government by-laws are the most prevalent type of by-law inOrganizational by-laws
Corporate and organizational by-laws regulate only the organization to which they apply and are generally concerned with the operation of the organization, setting out the form, manner or procedure in which a company or organisation should be run. Corporate by-laws are drafted by a corporation's founders or directors under the authority of its charter or articles of incorporation.Typical articles
By-laws widely vary from organization to organization, but generally cover topics such as the purpose of the organization, who are its members, how directors are elected, how meetings are conducted, and what officers the organization will have and a description of their duties. A common mnemonic device for remembering the typical articles in by-laws is NOMOMECPA, pronounced "No mommy, see pa!" It stands for name, object, members, officers, meetings, executive board, committees, parliamentary authority, amendment. Organizations may use a book such as '' Robert's Rules of Order'' ''Newly Revised'' for guidelines on the content of their by-laws. This book has a sample set of by-laws of the type that a small, independent society might adopt. The wording of the by-laws has to be precise. Otherwise, the meaning may be open to interpretation. In such cases, the organization decides how to interpret its by-laws and may use guidelines for interpretation.Amendment
Usually one of the last sections in the by-laws describes the procedures for amending them. It describes who can amend them (usually the membership, but it could be the organization's board of directors), how much notice is needed, and how much of a vote is needed. A typical requirement is a two-thirds vote provided that previous notice was given or a majority of all the members.Relation to other governing documents
In parliamentary procedure, including ''Robert's Rules of Order'', the by-laws are generally the supreme governing document of an organization, superseded only by the charter of an incorporated society. The by-laws contain the most fundamental principles and rules regarding the nature of the organization. It was once common practice for organizations to have two separate governing documents, a constitution and by-laws, but this has fallen out of favor because of the ease of use, increased clarity, and reduced chance of conflict inherent in a single, unified document. This single document, while properly referred to as the by-laws, is often referred to as a ''constitution'' or a ''constitution and by-laws''. Unless otherwise provided by law, the organization does not formally exist until by-laws have been adopted.Application to organizations
Unions
In some countries, trade unions generally have constitutions, which govern activities of the international office of the union as well as how it interfaces with its locals. The locals themselves can set up their own by-laws to set out internal rules for how to conduct activities. In other countries, such as theNonprofit organizations
Nonprofit organizations in the United States applying for Federal Tax-Exemption Status are required to adopt bylaws for their organizations. Bylaws for nonprofit organizations by themselves are more of an internal organizing document than required by most states but are necessary for filing for nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exemption application using the Form 1023.See also
* Articles of association * Articles of organization * Constitutional documents * Memorandum of association * Municipal charter *References
{{Authority control Administrative law Parliamentary procedure Organizational documents Law