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Prospective Overruling

Constitutional & Public Law Doctrines

Definition

A doctrine imported from American jurisprudence in Golaknath v. State of Punjab, where a constitutional court declares a law or prior judicial interpretation invalid, but directs that the ruling will apply solely to future cases, leaving past concluded transactions undisturbed.

Example

A Supreme Court Constitution Bench alters the interpretation of land acquisition notification timelines, but specifies that acquisitions concluded prior to the date of judgment will not be reopened.