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Retroactivity, Simulactivity and Infraactivity

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The Legal Order

Part of the book series: Law and Philosophy Library ((LAPS,volume 123))

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Abstract

A complex of problems, important from a practical as well as theoretical point of view, pertains to the temporal applicability of legal rules (studied by transitional law). When alterations in statutory provisions are performed, the legislator must take into consideration already existing legal positions, constituted by older law. Shall the older provisions continue to be applicable to such positions or be subject to the new rules? Temporal conflicts are conflicts between rules materially applicable to the same case belonging to different static legal systems within one and the same dynamic inter-temporal legal system. The transitional problems and their solutions (simulactivity, retroactivity and infraactivity) are carefully explained. The legal-ideological conflict between retroactive legislation and the value of legal certainty is discussed.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Level (1959). The German term is used for the first time by Affolter (1902). However, also the term “Übergangsrecht” is used (Affolter (1903)). In France and Italy the terms “droit transitoire” and “diritto transitorio” are usually used (Cavaglieri (1904)).

  2. 2.

    See further Roubier (1960), p. 30 ff., from which I have borrowed here.

  3. 3.

    Roubier (1960), p. 3 ff.

  4. 4.

    Roubier (1960), p. 9.

  5. 5.

    Roubier (1960), p. 165.

  6. 6.

    Such concepts can, but need not be, essentially contested concepts in Gallie’s sense (Gallie (1956), pp. 167–198).

  7. 7.

    Cf. Alchourrón and Bulygin (1971), p. 88.

  8. 8.

    Raz (1980), p. 34.

  9. 9.

    Raz (1980), p. 34 and Alchourrón and Bulygin (1971), p. 89.

  10. 10.

    Alchourrón and Bulygin (1971), p. 89. The term “inter-temporal legal system” is mine.

  11. 11.

    Cf. Finnis (1973), p. 44 ff.

  12. 12.

    Clearly pointed out by Strömberg (1972), p. 668.

  13. 13.

    Roubier (1960), pp. 33 ff.

  14. 14.

    They are used by inter alia Paulus and Ulpianus. Roubier (1960), p. 32.

  15. 15.

    Cf. Frändberg (2014), Ch. 6, esp. at pp. 123 f.

  16. 16.

    Roubier (1960), p. 286.

References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

    Åke Frändberg

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  1. Åke Frändberg
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Frändberg, Å. (2018). Retroactivity, Simulactivity and Infraactivity. In: The Legal Order. Law and Philosophy Library, vol 123. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78858-6_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78858-6_12

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-78857-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-78858-6

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