Lex specialis, in legal theory and practice

Law

Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...

, is a doctrine relating to the interpretation of laws, and can apply in both domestic and international law contexts. The doctrine states that a law governing a specific subject matter (lex specialis) overrides a law which only governs general matters (lex generalis). The situation ordinarily arises with regard to the construction of earlier-enacted specific legislation when more general legislation is later passed. 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.