repeal

Repeal is the act of revoking, abolishing, or annulling a law, regulation, or policy by a competent authority such as a legislature or, in some cases, a constitutional body. It ends the legal effect of the existing rule.

Mechanisms of repeal include express repeal, where a later law explicitly states that the prior rule is repealed, and implied repeal, which occurs when the newer provision is incompatible with the older one or when the later statute occupies the field. In constitutional law, repeal of constitutional provisions generally requires an amendment or a new constitution, rather than a simple reversal in ordinary statute law.

Scope and effect vary by jurisdiction. Repeal can affect statutes, ordinances, and administrative regulations, and may be accompanied by replacement with a new rule or reform of the legal framework. Penalties and ongoing actions linked to the old rule may be affected by transitional provisions. In practice, repeals are often designed to simplify, update, or correct the legal code.

Effects of repeal include the removal of the old rule’s legal force going forward; some repeals operate prospectively, while others may include transitional or retroactive provisions if explicitly stated. The legal process surrounding repeal reflects considerations of governance, legality, and public policy.

Examples illustrate the concept. A well-known instance is the repeal of Prohibition in the United States with the Twenty-First Amendment in 1933. In many jurisdictions, repeal is part of regular legal reform, used to retire outdated or burdensome rules and to enable new regulatory approaches.