repeals

Definition

The act of officially revoking, canceling, or invalidating a law, regulation, or legal provision, essentially legislative Ctrl+Z. When Congress repeals legislation, they're admitting that previous version didn't quite work out. Can also mean recalling someone from exile, though that usage is about as current as the practice itself.

Example Usage

The state legislature voted to repeal the outdated blue law that prohibited Sunday alcohol sales.

Source: Legislative and legal terminology

Related Terms

Beginner

judgement

The formal decision rendered by a court determining the rights and obligations between parties in a lawsuit. This legally binding proclamation either makes lawyers very happy or sends them scrambling to file an appeal. Once entered, it's the closest thing the legal system has to "because I said so," except enforceable by sheriffs and wage garnishments.

⚖️ Legal

Advanced

ripeness

A justiciability doctrine requiring that a dispute be sufficiently developed for judicial review, essentially telling plaintiffs 'come back when this is an actual problem.' The legal version of 'don't call us, we'll call you.'

⚖️ Legal

Advanced

tortious interference

The legal term for when someone deliberately sabotages your business relationships or contracts, giving you grounds to sue them for being a professional backstabber. It's the law recognizing that some people need to be sued for being terrible.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

subpoenaed

To be formally commanded by legal writ to appear in court or produce documents, whether you want to or not. A subpoena is the legal system's way of saying "your presence is mandatory, not optional." Ignoring one is a terrible idea unless you're interested in experiencing contempt of court charges firsthand.

⚖️ Legal

Beginner

Liability

The legal concept of whose fault it is, which in practice means whoever has the most money and the fewest lawyers. The foundation upon which the entire legal profession builds its vacation homes.

⚖️ Legal

Advanced

alleviation

The act of making something terrible slightly less terrible, which in legal contexts often means reducing damages, penalties, or suffering by some measurable amount. It's what happens when you can't eliminate the problem entirely but can at least throw some money or relief at it. The legal system's participation trophy for partial solutions.

⚖️ Legal

Translate This Term

See “repeals” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on X Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Beginner

Matty Gee

What the Australian population refers to as a Gronk. Habitual liar, theif and downright sleaze bag who has uncontrollab...