Branches of Law

Study Notes

Branches of Law

Public Law: Concerned with the relationships between individuals and the government, including:
- Constitutional Law: Deals with the interpretation and application of a country's constitution
- Administrative Law: Regulates the actions of government agencies and officials
- Criminal Law: Defines crimes and prescribes punishments
Private Law: Focuses on relationships between individuals, including:
- Contract Law: Governs agreements between individuals and businesses
- Tort Law: Deals with civil wrongs and damages
- Property Law: Regulates ownership and use of property

Types of Law

Civil Law: Focuses on disputes between individuals and organizations, seeking compensation or relief
Common Law: Based on customs, traditions, and judge-made decisions
Criminal Law: Deals with crimes and punishments
International Law: Regulates relationships between countries and international organizations

Legal Systems

Common Law System: Used in countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom
- Judges have a significant role in shaping the law
- Precedent plays a crucial role in decision-making
Civil Law System: Used in countries such as France, Germany, and Japan
- Emphasizes codified laws and less reliance on precedent
- Judges have a more limited role in shaping the law

Legal Principles

Rule of Law: The principle that all individuals and organizations are subject to the law
Presumption of Innocence: Individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty
Due Process: The principle that individuals have the right to a fair and impartial trial
Equality Before the Law: The principle that all individuals are equal in the eyes of the law

Branches of Law

Public Law deals with the relationships between individuals and the government
Constitutional Law is a subset of Public Law, dealing with the interpretation and application of a country's constitution
Administrative Law is another subset of Public Law, regulating the actions of government agencies and officials
Criminal Law is also a subset of Public Law, defining crimes and prescribing punishments

Private Law

Focuses on relationships between individuals
Contract Law governs agreements between individuals and businesses
Tort Law deals with civil wrongs and damages
Property Law regulates ownership and use of property

Types of Law

Civil Law focuses on disputes between individuals and organizations, seeking compensation or relief
Common Law is based on customs, traditions, and judge-made decisions
Criminal Law deals with crimes and punishments
International Law regulates relationships between countries and international organizations

Legal Systems

Common Law System is used in countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom
Judges play a significant role in shaping the law in Common Law Systems
Precedent plays a crucial role in decision-making in Common Law Systems
Civil Law System is used in countries like France, Germany, and Japan
Codified laws are emphasized in Civil Law Systems, with less reliance on precedent
Judges have a more limited role in shaping the law in Civil Law Systems

Legal Principles

Rule of Law: all individuals and organizations are subject to the law
Presumption of Innocence: individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty
Due Process: individuals have the right to a fair and impartial trial
Equality Before the Law: all individuals are equal in the eyes of the law

Description

Discover the different areas of law, including public law and private law, and their subfields such as constitutional law, administrative law, and contract law. Test your knowledge of the legal system!