Colonial Laws

The laws of a colony. In the United States. The term is used to designate the body of law in force in the colonies of America at the time of the commencement of our independence, which was, in general, the common law of England, with such modifications as the colonial experience had introduced. The colonial law is thus a transition state, through which our present law is derived from the English common law. In England. The term "Colonial law" is used with reference to the present colonies of that realm. COLONUS (Lat.) In civil law. A freeman of inferior rank, corresponding with the Saxon ceorl, and the German rural slaves.