Can someone please explain to me how you could tell the difference between public law and private law?
http://www.google.com/search?q=private+laws&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
There are several articles in here that will help you.
To understand the difference between public law and private law, you need to consider the parties involved and the nature of the legal matters being addressed. Here's how you can tell the difference:
1. Parties Involved:
Public Law: Public law deals with legal issues involving the state or government as a whole, and its relationship with individuals or other entities. In public law, one of the parties is usually a governmental body or a public official acting in an official capacity.
Private Law: Private law, also known as civil law, focuses on legal matters concerning individuals, groups, or organizations interacting with each other. In private law, the parties involved are typically private individuals or entities, not acting on behalf of the government.
2. Nature of Legal Matters:
Public Law: Public law deals with matters that impact society as a whole and involve the exercise of governmental powers. It includes areas such as constitutional law, administrative law, criminal law, and taxation law. Public law focuses on issues related to the public interest or the functioning and powers of the state.
Private Law: Private law deals with the resolution of disputes between private individuals or organizations. It covers areas like contract law, tort law, property law, family law, and business law. Private law concerns itself with matters that affect the rights, obligations, and relationships between individuals or private entities.
So, to differentiate between public law and private law, consider the parties involved (government vs. private individuals/entities) and the nature of the legal matters (public interest vs. private rights and obligations).