1. A legal or formal action that is distinct, particular, or of unusual character; an action that differs from the ordinary or routine
The governor issued a special act to address the emergency situation.
O governador expediu um ato especial para lidar com a situação de emergência.
2. In law, a legislative or administrative action taken for a specific purpose or circumstance
The court granted a special act to allow the exception to the rule.
O tribunal concedeu um ato especial para permitir a exceção à regra.