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Appendix 2 Changes From Previous Version

(This appendix does not form an integral part of this Specification and is informational.)

1. New structural containers​

In hcontainer we have added these elements:

  • crossHeading
  • interstitial
  • schedule
  • subschedule
  • mediaContainer
  • regulation
  • noteSection
  • annex
  • appendix

2. New elements for judicial decisions​

In judgment we added these elements:

  • witness
  • court
  • judgmentSummary

3. Enhanced tables of contents​

The structure of tables of contents has been enriched by allowing explicit subdivision into:

  • tocNum (the numeric part)
  • tocHeading (the heading)
  • tocPointer (the link or reference to the corresponding part of the body) In addition, the level attribute has become optional, providing greater flexibility in encoding hierarchical tables of contents.

4. Alignment of tables with HTML​

Akoma Ntoso tables are now aligned more closely with HTML conventions. The following elements are now supported:

  • colgroup,
  • col,
  • thead,
  • tbody,
  • tfoot Moreover, thead, tbody, and tfoot can carry core attributes such as eId and wId. This change improves interoperability with web publishing formats and facilitates reuse in hybrid digital environments.

5. New metadata elements​

Two new metadata elements have been added:

  • near
  • scope These extend the expressiveness of metadata, allowing for more precise contextualization of references and applicability.

6. Improved support for definitions​

A richer structure for definitions has been introduced, including:

  • definitions,
  • definition,
  • definitionHead,
  • definitionBody
  • defBody
  • attribute defines

This improves terminological accuracy and supports documents with extensive definitional sections.

7. New element for foreign text​

  • foreignText This element has been added to mark textual passages in a language different from the primary one of the document. This responds to the frequent presence of citations or phrases in foreign languages in legislative and judicial material.

8. Support for non-Gregorian calendars​

Attributes have been extended to account for different calendar traditions:

  • calName identifies the calendar system.
  • verbatim preserves the exact textual representation of the date. This enhances the model’s ability to represent documents from jurisdictions or traditions using calendars other than the Gregorian one.

9. New values for existing attributes​

Several attributes have received additional values to increase descriptive power:

  • The attribute version in <akomaNtoso> is fixed to 3.1.
  • remark now accepts the value source.
  • status now accepts the value informative.
  • pos accepts the new values between and fromTo.

10. Expanded content models​

Multiple content models have been broadened or refined:

  • maincontent, basicopt, preambleopt, and prefaceopt can now include num, heading, and subheading.
  • The date attribute allows for year-only values (YYYY), in addition to full dates (YYYY-MM-DD).
  • All metadata elements now accept the attributes refers and showAs.
  • recitals may contain nested recitals.
  • citations may contain nested citations.
  • tblock and blockContainer accept an optional name attribute.
  • The caption element inside <table> is redefined as a container instead of inline.
  • The quantity element now accepts a unit attribute.
  • def and term elements can now include the attribute quote.
  • fillIn can be used for on-screen form elements.
  • subflow elements allow caption and item.
  • header accepts either a hierarchy or block elements.
  • subflow may now contain attachment.

Together, these adjustments improve the flexibility of document modeling and increase compatibility with interactive and digital publishing practices.

Revision History​

RevisionDateEditorChanges Made
[01][2024-04-16][Monica Palmirani][Editing of the first version]
[02][2024-07-19][Fabio Vitali][New release with hcontainer new elements]
[03][2024-09-08][Grant Vergottini][Validation with examples]
[04][2024-11-12][Veronique Parisse][Validation with examples]
[2025-01-10][Fabio Vitali][1) Element (used in judgments) now allows elements inside 2) The complex type subFlowStructure (used, among others, by ) now includes element ]
[05][2025-02-01][Monica Palmirani][Checking the consistency with examples]
[06][2025-06-11][Fabio Vitali][Elements thead, tbody and tfoot now accept coreopt attributes (@class, @style, @title, @period, @status, @eId @wId @GUID, @refersTo, @xml:lang, @xml:space, @xml:id, @alternativeTo, @defines)]
[07][2025-09-15][Monica Palmirani]Minutes of approval of Committee Specification Draft - Release AKN Akoma Ntoso 3.0 (11 June 2025).
[08][2026-02-25][Monica Palmirani]Minutes of approval of Committee Specification Draft documentation.
[09][2026-05-08]OASISCommittee Specification.