Hatályt

Hatályt is the accusative singular form of hatály, a Hungarian legal term that refers to the state of being in effect or legally valid. In legal and administrative language, hatály describes whether an act, rule, or agreement is currently enforceable and applicable. The concept is closely related to related terms such as hatályos, meaning currently in force, and hatálybalépés, the process by which something becomes effective.

In practice, hatály is used to indicate the status of laws, regulations, treaties, and other official instruments. A regulation or treaty is described as having hatályba lépve or entering into force on a specified date, after which it governs rights and obligations. Conversely, an instrument can lose hatálya, ceasing to be in force, through repeal, amendment, or sunset provisions. The term is also involved in discussions of retroactivity; some acts are said to have visszaható hatály when they apply to past events, while others are explicitly non-retroactive.

Hatály and its derivatives are fundamental in comparative and international law, where questions of when an international agreement becomes binding domestically or within a jurisdiction are determined by specific entry-into-force rules. In everyday legal drafting, precise use of hatály-related terminology helps clarify when rules apply, from individual contracts to broad regulatory frameworks. The distinction between hatályban lévő szabályozás (currently in force regulation) and acts that have been repealed or amended is essential for interpreting legal rights, duties, and remedies.