Directory Statute Law and Legal Definition
Directory statute is an enactment of a legislative body that indicates only what should be done, with no provision for enforcement. The provisions of a directory statute are a matter of form only and do not affect any substantial right, and do not relate to the essence of the thing to be done, so that compliance is a matter of convenience rather than substance. The strict fulfillment of a directory statute is not necessary to the validity of a proceeding, but with which there is a duty to comply as nearly as practicable.
