Difference between formal and informal sources of law?

Answer 1

Sources of law can be viewed in two distinct ways, the first is the raw materials from which the law can be made and the second is the complete place were the law can be found.

It is under these definitions that we have formal and informal sources of law. A formal source is one which has been created by a formally recognized institution while an informal source is one which is not the making of the formal institution but arises mainly from common practice and accepted pattern.

To this end, customs, traditions, religious beliefs are informal while international law is a formal source. This is in relation to it being a raw material.

With respect to the complete source customs, religious beliefs are informal while statutes, judicial precedents are formal.