The Royal Charter and Bye Laws

6.1.1.1 Royal Charter 
The Scout Association exists by authority of a Royal Charter, granted by King George V in 1912 and supplemented by further Charters granted by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.

6.1.1.2 Bye Laws
These Charters give authority to the Bye Laws of The Scout Association, which are approved by His Majesty's Privy Council.  

The Bye Laws, in turn, authorise the making of rules for the regulation of The Scout Association's affairs, and thereby give authority for the Rules printed in Policy, Organisation and Rules.