amendment / revision
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amendment
The legal or political process of changing, adding to, or revising an existing law through a new law, a so-called amendment.
Die Novellierung des Datenschutzgesetzes führte zu strengeren Regeln für Unternehmen.
The amendment of the data protection law led to stricter rules for companies.
'Die Novellierung' (the amendment/revision) is a noun derived from the verb 'novellieren' (to amend/revise). The ending '-ung' indicates the process or action. The result of a 'Novellierung' is 'die Novelle' (an amendment to a law).
Das Parlament wird das Gesetz bald novellieren.
Parliament will amend the law soon.
This word belongs to the technical language of politics and law. In everyday conversation, people would be more likely to speak of a 'Gesetzesänderung' (change to a law) or 'Überarbeitung des Gesetzes' (revision of the law).
Die Juristen diskutierten die Details der anstehenden Novellierung.
The lawyers discussed the details of the upcoming amendment.
The noun 'Novellierung' (amendment/revision) is almost always followed by a genitive object that indicates which law is being changed. Pay attention to the structure 'die Novellierung des [Gesetzes]' (the amendment of the [law]).
Die Novellierung des Tierschutzgesetzes wird von vielen Organisationen gefordert.
The amendment of the Animal Welfare Act is being demanded by many organizations.
reform
Both words can describe a planned change to a law. However, a reform is a comprehensive restructuring and improvement in terms of content, whereas a revision can also involve individual changes or additions. “Reform” is appropriate for a fundamental restructuring; “Novellierung” is more suitable for the legal revision of a law.
Die Novellierung ergänzt das Bildungsgesetz um einzelne neue Regeln.
The amendment adds several individual new rules to the Education Act.
Die Reform gestaltet das gesamte Bildungsgesetz grundlegend neu.
The reform fundamentally reshapes the entire Education Act.
