Fundamentals of Law in British Columbia Practice Exam 2025 - Free Law Practice Questions and Study Guide

Private Law governs relationships between private individuals. It primarily deals with the rights and obligations that individuals have in relation to each other. This branch of law includes various areas such as contract law, tort law, property law, and family law. For instance, if one person breaches a contract with another, the dispute would typically be resolved under private law principles, focusing on compensation or specific performance rather than broader societal interests.

In contrast, public law concerns the relationship between individuals and the government and includes areas such as constitutional law and administrative law. Criminal law also falls under the umbrella of public law, as it pertains to offenses against the state, where the government prosecutes individuals accused of crimes. While these fields are crucial to the functioning of society, they do not specifically address the individual interactions and private disputes that characterize private law.

Understanding the distinction between private and public law is essential for navigating legal issues that arise in everyday situations, as it clarifies which set of legal principles applies to specific circumstances.