creature of statute

9.7

An organization that the law makes, like a corporation or government agency

noun

Informal

: entidad jurídica

A corporation is a creature of statute and can act only as permitted by law.

Examples

The non-profit organization is a creature of statute, with its powers detailed in the relevant act.
Many government agencies are established as creatures of statute.
A corporation is a creature of statute.
Many creatures of statute are subject to specific regulations.
A corporation is a creature of statute and can act only as permitted by law.
Many government agencies are established as creatures of statute.
The non-profit organization is a creature of statute, with its powers detailed in the relevant act.

Surface Forms

creature of statute singular

creatures of statute plural

Morphology

creature + of + statute

The meaning can largely be inferred from combining 'creature' (a created entity) with 'statute' (law) — i.e. something created by law — so a learner who knows the words could reasonably guess the sense. However, 'creature' is used metaphorically in legal register and this phrasing is somewhat formal/jargon-like, which reduces immediate predictability for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Creature of statute paints a simple picture: a creature made by a written statute, which is a 'law'. Think of an organization or body that exists only because the law 'created' it. That's why the phrase means an organization or body that exists because a law made it and can only act as the law allows.