Is a statute or a judicial decision retroactive?

In general, statutes operate prospectively, while judicial decisions operate retroactively to pending cases. (Evangelatos v. Superior Court (1988) 44 Cal.3d 1188, 1207.) "'"[A] retrospective law is one that affects rights, obligations, acts, transactions, and conditions which are peformed or exist prior to the adoption of the statute."'" (Id. at p. 1206.) Although as a general rule judicial decisions are to be given retroactive effect, there is a recognized exception: "'when a judicial decision changes a settled rule on

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