---
title: O.C.G.A. § 1-3-5. Operation of laws generally; retrospective operation.
collection: code
id: 1-3-5
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 1-3-5 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/1-3-5
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/1-3-5.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/1-3-5/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t1-t2-t3-(v3)-2019-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=6ea3b7a1_0#page=113
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
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current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: GENERAL PROVISIONS / LAWS AND STATUTES
---

# O.C.G.A. § 1-3-5. Operation of laws generally; retrospective operation.

Laws prescribe only for the future; they cannot impair the obligation of contracts nor, ordinarily, have a retrospective operation. Laws looking only to the remedy or mode of trial may apply to contracts, rights, and offenses entered into, accrued, or committed prior to their passage; but in every case a reasonable time subsequent to the passage of the law should be allowed for the citizen to enforce his contract or to protect his right.

## History

Orig. Code 1863, § 7; Code 1868, § 6; Code 1873, § 6; Code 1882, § 6; Civil Code 1895, § 6; Penal Code 1895, § 3; Civil Code 1910, § 6; Penal Code 1910, § 3; Code 1933, § 102-104.

## Cross References

Restrictions upon powers of states, U.S. Const., Art. I, Sec. 10, Cl. 1. Bill of attainer; ex post facto laws; and retroactive laws, Ga. Const. 1983, Art. I, Sec. I, Para. X.

## Law Reviews

For article, ‘‘Synopses of 1968 Amendments Appellate Procedure Act and Georgia Civil Practice Act,’’ see 4 Ga. St. B. J. 503 (1968).

For comment on Griffin v. Air S., Inc., 324 F. Supp. 1284 (N.D. Ga. 1971), see 8 Ga. St. B. J. 414 (1972). For comment on statutes of limitations in medical malpractice actions in Georgia, see 33 Mercer L. Rev. 377 (1981).