Abrogate Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Abrogate, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Abrogate?

History and Meaning of Abrogate

The term "abrogate" is a legal term that comes from the Latin word "abrogare," which means to repeal or abolish. In civil law, it is used to describe the annulment or revocation of a previous law or legal agreement by a legislative body or an authority with the power to do so. Abrogation can be partial or total, depending on the extent of the law or agreement being annulled.

In common law countries, abrogation is often used to refer to the legislative repeal of a previous law or statute. This can occur when a new law is passed that directly contradicts or replaces an older law. Abrogation can also occur when a court declares a law to be unconstitutional or invalid.

Examples of Abrogate

• The government decided to abrogate the treaty that had been signed with the neighboring country to avoid further conflicts.
• The new law abrogated the previous one, which had caused controversy due to its discriminatory nature.
• The company's board of directors voted to abrogate the contract with the supplier for breach of contract.
• The court found that the city's ban on street performers abrogated the performers' First Amendment rights.
• The constitutional amendment abrogated the power of the monarch to veto legislation.

Legal Terms Similar to Abrogate

• Repeal: the act of revoking or annulling a law or statute by legislative action
• Rescind: to void or cancel a contract or agreement, often due to a material breach
• Annul: to declare a legal agreement or contract to be invalid or non-binding
• Nullify: to cancel or make void a legal document or agreement
• Invalidate: to make a legal document or contract null and void, often due to a defect or irregularity