What is the difference between public law and private law?

Public law is primarily concerned with the relationship between individuals and the government, encompassing areas such as constitutional law, administrative law, and criminal law. This branch of law governs how individuals can engage with government entities and the limits of government authority. It addresses issues that affect society as a whole, such as the legislation that impacts civil rights, environmental regulations, and criminal justice procedures.

In contrast, private law focuses on regulating the relationships among individuals or organizations. This includes areas like contract law, tort law, and family law. It typically does not involve the government in its enforcement unless a dispute escalates to litigation.

The other options do not accurately reflect the true nature of these legal categories. Public law does not deal with disputes solely between private individuals nor is private law limited exclusively to commercial transactions, nor does it govern relationships of individuals with the government; that role is designated to public law.