fundamental law; basic law; organic law
A law that serves as the foundation for a legal system or a specific area of law, such as a constitution or a framework statute.
The Constitution of Japan is the fundamental law of the nation.
The Basic Act on Education sets out the principles of education.
Compound of 基本 (kihon, 'foundation, basis') and 法 (hō, 'law'). The term is a direct translation of the Western legal concept of 'fundamental law' or 'basic law'.