lawful amendment

[ˈlɔfəl əˈmɛndmənt]
nounpl: lawful amendments
emenda legal
1. A formal change or modification to a law, constitution, or legal document that is made in accordance with established legal procedures and is constitutionally or statutorily valid
The lawful amendment to the Constitution required approval from two-thirds of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states.
A emenda legal à Constituição exigia aprovação de dois terços do Congresso e ratificação de três quartos dos estados.
2. A modification to a legislative text that complies with all procedural requirements and does not violate higher-order legal norms
The proposed lawful amendment to the criminal code was debated for months before passage.
A emenda legal proposta ao código penal foi debatida por meses antes da aprovação.
This term is primarily used in formal legal, constitutional, and legislative contexts in both English-speaking countries and Brazil. It reflects the importance of procedural legitimacy in democratic legal systems. In Brazil, the distinction between 'emenda legal' and 'emenda constitucional' (constitutional amendment) is significant, as constitutional amendments follow more stringent procedures than ordinary legal amendments.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
constitutional amendmentlegal modificationstatutory amendmentlegitimate change
Antonyms / Antônimos
unlawful amendmentunconstitutional changeillegal modificationprocedural violation

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
emenda legal
Standard usage in Brazilian legal contexts
São Paulo
emenda legítima
Alternative term occasionally used in São Paulo legal circles
Portugal
alteração legal
Portuguese usage tends toward 'alteração legal' rather than 'emenda legal'
USA
lawful amendment
Commonly used in American constitutional and legal discourse

Related Words

amendment processconstitutional lawlegislative procedureratificationstatuteconstitutional provision

Related Idioms & Phrases

amendment within the bounds of law
legally sanctioned change
amendment by due process
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