Tuesday, 29 September 2026

Legal glossary

Legal terms frequently found in MonitorLegal.ro articles, explained in plain language.

Emergency ordinance
A government decree issued without a parliamentary vote, used for urgent situations, which takes effect immediately.
Ordinance
A government decree issued based on prior parliamentary authorization, used for matters not requiring an organic law.
Government decision
A government decision that implements an existing law, without creating new obligations beyond that law.
Constitutional challenge
A request raised during an ongoing court case, arguing that a law applicable to it violates the Constitution.
Official Gazette
Romania's official state gazette, where laws, decrees and other legal acts are published to become known and applicable.
Repealed
Describes a legal act whose validity has permanently ended, having been replaced or removed by a later act.
In force
Describes a legal act that currently produces legal effects and must be complied with.
Erga omnes
A Latin phrase meaning a decision is binding on everyone, not just the parties involved in that particular case.
Case law
The body of past court decisions in a given area, used as a reference for resolving similar cases.
Constitutional Court
The institution that checks whether laws and other legal acts comply with Romania's Constitution; its decisions are final and binding on everyone.
Technical approval
An official document issued by a body authorized by the Permanent Technical Council for Construction, certifying that a new construction product, process or equipment is fit for use when no harmonized European standard applies.