General customs are such as prevail throughout a country and become the law of that country.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) Customs observed uniformly throughout a country become part of its law — cite this to establish that a nationwide practice carries binding legal force even without a statute.

Where this applies

• The practice of trial by jury, observed uniformly throughout England, became part of English common law without any statute creating it.
• The custom of freedom of navigation on public waterways, followed throughout the nation, is treated as binding law even though no legislature enacted it.
• The widespread American practice of open public meetings for government business is recognized as having the force of law because it prevails throughout the country.