unwritten law

• Règle, coutume ou principe compris et accepté par un groupe ou une société, mais non fixé formellement ni codifié dans un document juridique.

A rule, custom, or principle that is understood and accepted by a group or society, but is not formally recorded or codified in any legal document.

1. Custom or traditionB2formal

   A rule or principle that is understood and followed by a group of people, even though it is not formally written down or officially enacted.

   loi non écrite

   • It is an unwritten law that you should not interrupt someone while they are speaking.
   • In many cultures, hospitality to strangers is an unwritten law.
   • The unwritten law of the office is to never take the last cup of coffee without making a new pot.

2. Social code of conductB2formal

   A widely accepted but unspoken rule of behavior within a specific community or society.

   loi non écrite

   • Among friends, there is an unwritten law about keeping secrets.
   • The unwritten law of the road is to let faster cars pass.
   • In the art world, there is an unwritten law against copying another artist's style.