The lex specialis doctrine, also referred to as generalia specialibus non derogant, states that if two laws govern the same factual situation, a law governing a specific subject matter overrides a law governing only general matters. The doctrine, recognized in both legal theory and practice, can apply in both domestic and international law contexts. The name comes from the full statement of the doctrine, a legal maxim in Latin: Lex specialis derogat legi generali.