The New Laws<span> were a series of royal ordinances designed to halt the abuses of the encomienda system, particularly in Peru.
Natives were to have their rights as citizens of Spain and could not be forced to work if they did not want to. Reasonable tribute could be collected, but any additional work was to be paid for.
Existing encomiendas would pass to the crown upon the death of the encomendero, and no new encomiendas were to be granted.
Furthermore, anyone who abused natives or who had participated in the conquistador civil wars could lose their encomiendas. The king approved the laws and sent a Viceroy, Blasco Núñez Vela, to Lima with clear orders to enforce them.</span>
