sub·stan·tive /'səb-stən-tiv/ adj
1: of or relating to a matter of substance as opposed to form or procedure
a substantive issue
the substantive instructions to the jury
was dismissed on procedural and substantive grounds compare procedural
2: affecting rights, duties, or causes of actions
a substantive statutory change
a substantive rule of law
3: existing in its own right; specif: of or relating to a substantive crime
the object of a RICO conspiracy is to violate a substantive RICO provision — United States v. Elliot, 571 F.2d 880 (1978)
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.