retroactivity
Applying law backwards
Retroactivity is the quality of applying to a period before something was enacted or established.
A law with retroactivity affects past actions, not just future ones: The retroactivity of the tax increase meant we owed money on last year's income.
The concept raises fairness concerns—people can't comply with rules that didn't exist when they acted.
Enacted after the fact
- statuteEnacted written rule
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- precedentPrior authoritative example
- jurisprudencePhilosophy governing legal systems
constitutionality · amendment · clause · adjudication · litigation · remedy · judicial review · due process
Results of actions taken
- effectsConsequences or belongings
- ramificationsResulting effects or outcomes
- repercussionsIndirect results of actions
- outcomeFinal result of events
aftermath · implications · adjustment · recalculation · restitution · compensation · back pay · refund
Declare legally void
- rescindFormally cancel or withdraw
- repealAnnul a statute
- invalidateMake null or void
- overturnReverse or invalidate
abrogate · void · nullify · vacate · revoke · undo · retract · countermand
Assigning earlier date falsely
- hindsightRecognition after the fact
- retrospectionContemplating past events
- lookbackExamination of past events
- effective dateWhen something takes force
commencement · inception · antecedent · preceding · time frame · cutoff date
ex post facto
Enacted after the fact
- statuteEnacted written rule
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- precedentPrior authoritative example
jurisprudence · constitutionality · amendment · clause · adjudication · litigation · remedy · judicial review · due process · grandfather clause
consequences
Results of actions taken
- effectsConsequences or belongings
- ramificationsResulting effects or outcomes
- repercussionsIndirect results of actions
outcome · aftermath · implications · adjustment · recalculation · restitution · compensation · back pay · refund · reassessment
annul
Declare legally void
- rescindFormally cancel or withdraw
- repealAnnul a statute
- invalidateMake null or void
overturn · abrogate · void · nullify · vacate · revoke · undo · retract · countermand · quash
backdating
Assigning earlier date falsely
- hindsightRecognition after the fact
- retrospectionContemplating past events
- lookbackExamination of past events
effective date · commencement · inception · antecedent · preceding · time frame · cutoff date
- legal timingeffective date, sunset clause, ex post facto, statute of limitations, grace period
- regulationsrules, rule, regulations, regulation, law