The examination of documents issued by public authorities reveals the existence of two distinct types of actions, or act: those which were undertaken by the authority on its own direct initiative, of its own will, in the context of its political-sovereign

The examination of documents issued by public authorities reveals the existence of two distinct types of actions, or act: those which were undertaken by the authority on its own direct initiative, of its own will, in the context of its political-sovereign capacity; and those which were initiated by other juridical or physical persons, public or private. In the former case, the moment of the action comprises one simple act consisting of the order given by the authority to its chancery to compile the document expressing its will. In the latter case, we have a compound act or procedure, consisting of well-defined stages or phases.