Magical Law
⚖️ @Ministry of Magic – Official Statutory Compendium
As ratified by the Wizengamot and upheld under the Department of Magical Law Enforcement
Issued under authority of the Minister for Magic
I. The Foundational Magical Law (Statute I:1–I:12)
Statute I:1 — Definition and Jurisdiction
All magical persons within the territories governed by the British Ministry of Magic are bound by the codes and decrees herein established. Magical Law extends to all beings, creatures, and entities of magical nature, except where superseded by international treaties or accords.
Statute I:4 — Authority of the Wizengamot
The Wizengamot shall serve as the supreme judicial body of wizarding Britain, vested with the power to interpret, amend, and enforce all Magical Law. Its rulings bear binding power across all magical institutions, including Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Statute I:8 — Enforcement
The Department of Magical Law Enforcement (DMLE) shall maintain order, investigate breaches, and apprehend offenders of magical law. Its sub-departments—namely, the Auror Office, Improper Use of Magic Office, and Magical Law Enforcement Patrol—act under direct authorization of the Minister.
Statute I:12 — Supremacy Clause
All magical institutions, domestic or private, must yield to the authority of the Ministry in matters concerning magical safety, secrecy, and interspecies relations.
II. The International Statute of Secrecy (1692)
Codified as Statute II:1–II:15
Enforced under joint authority of the International Confederation of Wizards and the British Ministry of Magic.
Statute II:1 — Purpose
To ensure the continued concealment of the wizarding world from non-magical society (commonly referred to as Muggles), in order to preserve magical safety, autonomy, and global harmony.
Statute II:3 — Secrecy Obligations
(a) No witch or wizard shall perform magic, display magical creatures, or otherwise reveal the existence of the magical community before Muggles.
(b) All breaches of concealment shall be reported to the Obliviator Headquarters within twenty-four hours.
Statute II:5 — Responsibility of Magical Departments
The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes shall oversee all Muggle-Related Incidents, including but not limited to:
Uncontrolled spell effects visible to the non-magical public
Exposure of magical creatures, objects, or enchantments
Unauthorized publication of magical material in the Muggle world
Statute II:8 — Sanctions
Violations of this Statute are punishable by fines not less than 500 Galleons, confiscation of wand privileges, and potential imprisonment in Azkaban for grave or repeated offences.
Statute II:12 — Exceptions
Exceptions are permitted only for authorized liaison with the Muggle government (as determined by the Minister for Magic) and for emergency magical intervention where life is endangered.
III. The Prohibition of Unforgivable Curses (Statute III:1–III:10)
Statute III:1 — Definition
The following spells are designated Unforgivable under wizarding law:
Avada Kedavra (Killing Curse)
Cruciatus Curse (Crucio)
Imperius Curse (Imperio)
Statute III:3 — Nature of the Offense
Use of any Unforgivable Curse upon another human being is deemed a crime of the highest order, constituting an assault upon magical morality and the natural laws of life and free will.
Statute III:5 — Penalties
Those convicted under this statute shall face immediate imprisonment in Azkaban for life, without the possibility of parole or commutation.
Statute III:7 — Exceptions
No exceptions exist under ordinary circumstances. Historical records note that temporary exemptions were granted to Aurors and combatants during the First and Second Wizarding Wars under direct ministerial order. These exemptions expired with cessation of hostilities.
Statute III:10 — Forensic Detection
The Auror Office maintains authorized use of Priori Incantatem and Trace Analysis spells to verify whether a wand has been used to cast any Unforgivable Curse.
IV. The Restriction of Underage Sorcery (Statute IV:1–IV:9)
Commonly referred to as the “Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875.”
Statute IV:1 — Definition of Majority
A witch or wizard is deemed of age upon reaching seventeen years. Until that time, they are considered an underage magical and bound by special restrictions.
Statute IV:2 — Prohibition of Magic Outside School
No underage witch or wizard shall perform spells, enchantments, or transfigurations outside of a licensed educational setting or Ministry-sanctioned environment.
Statute IV:3 — Detection and Enforcement
The Improper Use of Magic Office is empowered to monitor magical activity through the Trace, a charm automatically placed on all underage wizards’ wands. Detection of unauthorized magic may result in disciplinary action, including expulsion from Hogwarts and confiscation of wands.
Statute IV:6 — Exemptions
Magic performed in the presence of a qualified witch or wizard acting in a supervisory capacity, or under conditions of immediate physical danger, may be excused upon review by the Wizengamot or a designated subcommittee thereof.
Statute IV:8 — Penalties
Violations shall result in formal warning for first offences, and possible expulsion from Hogwarts and wand destruction upon second or aggravated offences.
V. Ministerial Decree of 1948 – Consolidation of Magical Statutes
By order of the Wizengamot:
All aforementioned statutes are hereby bound within the Codex of Magical Legislation, Volume IV, maintained under the custody of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Amendments and interpretative orders shall be entered therein and certified by the Seal of the Minister.
“The preservation of our world depends not merely upon secrecy, but upon discipline, integrity, and respect for the laws that bind magic to conscience.”
— Minister Hector Fawley, upon ratifying the Codex, 1948