Legislation as a Source of Law in Peru

Abstract

This article provides a detailed analysis of the legislative structure in Peru, highlighting its concepts, principles, and interrelations. To this end, the author organizes the topic into three theoretical elements: 1) the formal sources of law, 2) the peculiarities of sources of law in Comparative Law, and 3) the functions of the State, the theory of the separation of powers and its consequences. In this line, the author first defines the formal source of law as a procedure that produces binding legal norms and addresses legislation as one of them, emphasizing its role in creating general norms. Secondly, the article emphasizes the modernity of legislation as the most important formal source of law, due to the hegemony of the State and its legal development. In this context, the author discusses the evolution of the Peruvian Constitution, which has transitioned from an initially liberal conception to include a wide range of norms on social benefits of the State, economic, financial, and fiscal regimes, and political and union organization. Finally, he addresses the complexity of dealing comprehensively with legislative norms, due to their nature and the various functions of the Executive Branch. In this regard, the article highlights the variety and lack of specific formality of the norms issued by this branch. Based on this, the author concludes by emphasizing the complexity and inorganic nature of Peruvian executive legislation.