lex lata

Etymology
Borrowed from (see below).

Noun

 * 1)  The law as it is.
 * 2) * 1997, Lyal S Sunga, The Emerging System of International Criminal Law
 * At that point, little purpose would be served in maintaining categories fashioned so closely to the lex lata that the Code would crystallize traditional technical distinctions.
 * 1) * 2000, Nikolaos K. Tsagourias, The Jurisprudence of International Law
 * This also betrays an interest in transforming world order by approximating lex lata with lex ferenda.
 * 1) * 2002, Netherlands Yearbook of International Law, 2001
 * Lex ferenda serves as a label for something which has at least conceptual existence, as a contrast or opposite to lex lata, the law that exists and obliges the subjects of law to adopt, or to refrain from, certain defined courses of conduct in certain defined circumstances.

Etymology
Literally "the law borne", i.e. ratified. Compare ; literally, "bearer of the law".

Noun

 * 1)  The law as it is.