What is the difference between laws on the book and law in action?

Answer 1

The laws in the book concist of all the laws of a country or state but the laws in action are only the ones being enforced.

For example in England it is still currently illegal to sell fruit or vegetables at a market in a basket without selling the basket along with the last fruit/vegetable.

This law is 'in the books' but is not 'in action'

Another example would be that in Hawaii it is supposedly illegal to skinny dip in any private place though this is not a real law it is occasionally enforced at private saunas and clubs.

This law is not 'in the books' but is 'in action.

Answer 2

"Law on the books" refers to the law as it is written and/or codified in law books. "Law in action" refers to how and if a law is applied or enforced, which varies depending on the enforcer