the rule of recognition

The rule of recognition is a fundamental guideline that a legal system uses to determine which laws are valid. It’s an accepted authority—often a recognized constitution, statutes, or judicial decisions—that establishes the criteria for valid law within a particular jurisdiction. Think of it as a master rule that helps judges and officials identify what counts as legitimate law. This rule isn’t written down as a law itself, but it’s accepted by those within the system as the ultimate standard for legal validity, ensuring consistency and authority in the creation and application of laws.