Legal Definitions - custom

Definition: A practice that has become widely adopted and accepted as a rule or law due to its long-standing and consistent use. There are different types of customs:

• General custom: A custom that is prevalent throughout a country and is considered a source of law.
• Legal custom: A custom that operates as a binding rule of law, independently of any agreement.
• Local custom: A custom that is specific to a defined locality, such as a city or county, and constitutes a source of law for that place only.
• Conventional custom: A custom that is indirectly enforced through agreements between parties and is considered conventional law between them.

Examples:

• A general custom in the United States is the practice of shaking hands when meeting someone for the first time.
• Legal custom in the United Kingdom includes the right of way for pedestrians on zebra crossings.
• A local custom in Hawaii is the practice of giving leis as a form of greeting or farewell.
• A conventional custom in the business world is the practice of sending invoices for payment within 30 days of receipt.

These examples illustrate how customs can vary in scope and application, but they all share the common characteristic of being widely accepted and followed within a particular context or community.