Lex specialis

Lex specialis, in legal theory and practice, is a doctrine relating to the interpretation of laws, and can apply in both domestic and international law contexts. The doctrine states that where two laws govern the same factual situation, a law governing a specific subject matter (lex specialis) overrides a law which only governs general matters (lex generalis). ^[1] The situation ordinarily arises with regard to the construction of earlier-enacted specific legislation when more general legislation is later passed. However, in this situation, the doctrine "lex posterior derogat legi priori" may also apply - the younger law overrides the older law.^[2] It can be assumed that the legislators planned to override the previous legislation. There is also a view that conflicts of norms should be avoided through a systematic interpretation.^[3] This principle also applies to construction of a body of law or single piece of legislation that contains both specific and general provisions.

The name comes from the full statement of the doctrine (a legal maxim) in Latin: Lex specialis derogat legi generali.

See also

• Statutory interpretation
• International law

References

1. ↑ International Principle of law Trans-Lex.org
2. ↑ Zeller, Auslegung von Gesetz und Vertrag (Interpretation of law and contract; also Karl Larenz, Methodenlehre
3. ↑ Yun, Seira (2014). "Breaking Imaginary Barriers: Obligations of Armed Non-State Actors Under General Human Rights Law – The Case of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child". Journal of International Humanitarian Legal Studies 5 (1-2): 213–257. Retrieved 30 January 2015.