obowiązywała

In a sentence

• Wtedy obowiązywała stara ustawa regulująca zasady ruchu drogowego.

  Back then, the old law regulating traffic rules was in effect.

  Refers to a law or regulation being in effect or valid at a specific past time.

• Obowiązywała zasada, że każdy uczestnik musiał przedstawić dokument tożsamości.

  The rule was in effect that each participant had to present an identity document.

  Indicates the enforcement of a rule or principle during a past event.

• Jej słowa obowiązywały jako zasada w naszej grupie.

  Her words were considered as a rule within our group.

  Used metaphorically to suggest that someone's statement was treated as an effective rule or guideline in a given context.