Adopt a law or the law?

Hello everyone!


I've recently gotten into an argument at a translator's forum. There was a sentence:

The Parliament adopted the Law "On Social Protection" which was later approved by the President -

I said that it would be more preferabale to use - adopt a law - thus using the indefinitie article, although the spesific law is meant here. My argument was that - adopt a law - was sort of a collocation and for this reason, adopt a law - should be used.

We're still arguing. Google gives both versions. Is there a native speaker around here who could resolve the issue? I would be really happy if someone could give me more insight into this.

The question is: Which is more preferable to use in the sentence I quoted above? Adopted the or adopted a law?

Thank you in advance.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Elator

Hello everyone!


I've recently gotten into an argument at a translator's forum. There was a sentence:

The Parliament adopted the Law "On Social Protection" which was later approved by the President -

I said that it would be more preferabale to use - adopt a law - thus using the indefinitie article, although the spesific law is meant here. My argument was that - adopt a law - was sort of a collocation and for this reason, adopt a law - should be used.

We're still arguing. Google gives both versions. Is there a native speaker around here who could resolve the issue? I would be really happy if someone could give me more insight into this.

The question is: Which is more preferable to use in the sentence I quoted above? Adopted the or adopted a law?

Thank you in advance.

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(Not a teacher)
The law is preferable.
The law is an appositive of "On Social Protection" that follows.
To paraphrase, the expression can be written as " The law which is on Social Protection" and the "which clause" makes the preceding noun specific.