Classification of Law

The law often has been described as “a seamless web” in which prin-

ciples are hopelessly and endlessly intertwined. However, there are ways

to classify legal subjects that advance understanding of the law and legal

principles.

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One means of classifying the law is to divide it into matters of public

law and matters of private law. Public law includes constitutional law,

administrative law, and criminal law. Constitutional law involves the in-

terpretation and application of either the federal or a state constitution.

Administrative law describes the legal principles that apply to govern-

ment agencies, bureaus, boards, and commissions. Criminal law encom-

passes all legal aspects of crime. In each of these areas, society, or the

people, are directly involved in the issues. Their interests are represented

by a governmental agency, officer, or official whose obligation is to see

that justice is accomplished and the goals of society achieved. Public law

provides a major portion of the legal environment of business.

Private law encompasses those legal problems and relationships that

exist between individuals, as contrasted with those in which society is

involved. Private law is traditionally separated into the law of contracts,

the law of torts, and the law of property.