Okuzeka
Law vocabulary · Legal Systems & Sources of Law

Come into force

Meaning in law, with examples

phraseCommon term

In law, come into force means: To start to have legal effect from a particular date, so that people must follow it from then on; used of laws, regulations and contracts.

In Turkish: yürürlüğe girmek

How it is used

Laws 'come into force' on a date or 'on publication'. Similar phrases are 'enter into force' (common for treaties and EU law), 'take effect' and 'come into effect'. A law that applies now is 'in force': 'the regulation remains in force until 2030'.

Example sentences

  1. The new rules come into force on 1 January.

  2. The agreement will come into force once both parties have signed it.

Common collocations

  • come into force on
  • enter into force
  • remain in force
  • date of coming into force
  • enactTo pass a bill so that it officially becomes law; used of parliaments and other legislative bodies.
  • repealTo officially end a law so that it no longer has legal effect; done by the legislature, usually through a new statute.
  • actA law passed by a parliament or other legislature, often named with a title and year such as the Companies Act 2006; also called an Act of Parliament.
  • regulationA detailed official rule made by a government body or agency, usually under the authority of a statute; also the general control of an activity by rules.
  • statuteA written law passed by a parliament or another law-making body, as opposed to rules that come from court decisions.

More terms: Legal Systems & Sources of Law

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level:

This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.