Interpretation Act 2005 section 27

Effect of repeal of enactment

Section 27 explains what happens to existing rights, obligations, and legal proceedings when a piece of legislation is repealed, ensuring that the repeal does not undo matters that arose while the law was still in force.

• Repealing a law does not revive any earlier law or provision that had already ceased to be in force before the repeal took effect.
• Any rights, privileges, obligations or liabilities that were acquired or incurred while the repealed law was in operation continue to stand and are not wiped out by the repeal.
• Penalties, forfeitures or punishments for offences committed before the repeal can still be imposed and enforced as though the law had never been repealed.
• Legal proceedings — whether civil or criminal — that were already under way at the time of the repeal may continue, and new proceedings may be started in respect of matters that arose under the repealed law.