Okuzeka
Law vocabulary · Legal Systems & Sources of Law

Repeal

Meaning in law, with examples

/rɪˈpiːl/verbCommon term

In law, repeal means: To officially end a law so that it no longer has legal effect; done by the legislature, usually through a new statute.

In Turkish: yürürlükten kaldırmak, ilga etmek

How it is used

Laws and provisions are 'repealed' or 'repealed and replaced'. It is also a noun: 'the repeal of the old Act'. Courts do not repeal laws; when a constitutional court cancels a law, English usually says it 'annuls' or 'strikes down' the law.

Example sentences

  1. The old Code was repealed when the new one came into force.

  2. Campaigners are calling for the repeal of the licensing rules.

Common collocations

  • repeal a law
  • repeal and replace
  • expressly repealed
  • the repeal of
  • enactTo pass a bill so that it officially becomes law; used of parliaments and other legislative bodies.
  • amendTo make changes to a law, contract or court document in order to correct or improve it, without replacing the whole text.
  • 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.
  • legislationLaws as a group, especially those made by a parliament; also the process of making these laws.
  • come into forceTo start to have legal effect from a particular date, so that people must follow it from then on; used of laws, regulations and contracts.

More terms: Legal Systems & Sources of Law

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