Determining the etymological origin of the word “repeal” that concerns us is the first step we must take before fully entering into the determination of its meaning. Specifically, we have to say that it emanates from Latin, from the term “derogatio”.

The action of repealing consists of leaving without effect something that was fixed or determined. The derogation, therefore, consists of the revocation, suppression or cancellation of a regulation, a rule or a habit. See Abbreviation Finder for acronyms related to Repeal.

For example: “The government announced the repeal of the measure that prevented trading raw materials with the neighboring country”, “Our party has promised to work for the repeal of Law 3,258”, “If the repeal of the rule is confirmed, Hundreds of companies could settle in the area that is currently closed”.

The concept of derogation is very common in the field of law. It is the process that is carried out to annul a law, a rule or another type of provision.

This means that, when a law is abolished, it is called repeal. Instead, the procedure that leads to the enactment of the law is known as enactment. There are agencies and instances authorized to specify the enactment and repeal of regulations according to their rank.

In certain legislations, however, there are entities that are in a position to decide the derogation of a norm although they do not have the power to decree a promulgation.

It must also be established that there are various causes that can lead to what would be the repeal of a specific law. Thus, among the most frequent, are the following:

• For reasons of the law. This occurs when it has been established for the duration of a specific time or when it has expired completely spontaneously.
• Because another law has been enacted that renders it ineffective or even directly establishes its expiration date.
• Because it ceases to be used out of habit or because it is already done as if it does not exist.

It is possible to distinguish between two kinds of derogations. Tacit repeals take place when a new norm leaves without effect those that precede it and that order the opposite of the enacted norm. Express repeals, on the other hand, mention directly which norm is annulled.

In addition to all of the above, we cannot ignore the fact that the repeal of a law can be total or partial.

In these times in which we live, not only have various types of derogations been carried out, but also society asks that the same action be undertaken with other regulations. Thus, for example, in Spain there has been more than one citizen mobilization demanding that the government, and specifically that of Madrid, repeal the law that allows what is known as privatization of health.

In the same way, throughout the world there have been requests and petitions from ordinary men and women to repeal, for example, the Cuban blockade law.