Decorrenza

Decorrenza is a legal term used to indicate the moment from which a norm, contract, or right begins to have effect. It designates the starting point for the application of obligations and rights, as well as for the accrual of time limits, such as prescriptive periods and deadlines. The decorrenza may coincide with the date of entry into force of a regulation, or with a later date specified in the law, and may also depend on events such as notification, delivery of goods, or fulfillment of conditions.

Decorrenza differs from entrata in vigore: the latter marks when a law becomes binding generally, while decorrenza marks when its effects or time limits actually start. It is also distinct from scadenza (deadline); time limits run from the decorrenza, not from the final date of a regulation.

Common contexts include the decorrenza of contractual obligations (e.g., a contract begins to be enforceable on the date of signing or on a stated effective date), the decorrenza of prescription periods (the countdown starts when the relevant fact occurs or when the law specifies), and the decorrenza of administrative decisions (the decision becomes effective upon notification or publication as provided).

In practice, parties and authorities specify decorrenza terms in the text of laws, contracts, or regulatory measures to determine when rights may be asserted and when deadlines must be observed.