Does long-standing custom have the status of a standing rule under Robert's Rules
Asked November 2026 · Answered by the AI Parliamentarian
When a procedure has been customary for many years, does it acquire the status of a standing rule?
Customary Practice vs. Standing Rules
Short answer: No. Long-standing custom does not automatically acquire the legal status of a standing rule or other formal rule under RONR.
What RONR Says
RONR acknowledges that informal customs and usages can develop in organizations, but it draws a clear distinction: a custom that conflicts with RONR or the organization's governing documents has no binding authority and can be corrected at any time by a proper point of order. (RONR §2)
Key Distinctions
| Custom/Practice | Standing Rule | |
|---|---|---|
| How adopted | Informal repetition | Formal vote of the assembly |
| Binding force | Weak – can be corrected | Strong – must be followed until rescinded |
| Overriding it | Point of order sufficient | Requires motion to Suspend or Rescind |
| Written record | Typically none | Should be in writing |
Practical Implications
- Any member may raise a Point of Order that a customary practice violates proper procedure — even if it has been done "that way for years"
- The chair should sustain the point and correct the practice going forward
- Past actions taken under an improper custom are generally not invalidated unless they violated a rule protecting a fundamental right (RONR §23)
The Right Way to Formalize a Custom
If the organization wants a practice to have binding authority, it should:
- Adopt it as a standing rule by a majority vote, or
- Incorporate it into the bylaws if it rises to that level of importance
Important Caveat
If the custom has been followed without objection for a very long time, some assemblies treat this as evidence of a de facto interpretation of their rules — but this is persuasive at best, not legally binding under RONR. The proper remedy is always to formalize the rule if it matters.