ABSTRACT
Public law consists of the rules controlling the relationship of public bodies (the state and its emanations) with each other, and between public authorities and individuals (unless the public authority was acting as if it were a public sector body); it therefore covers constitutional law, administrative law and criminal law. It also includes the rules which govern the relationship between states: this is known as public international law. Private law is concerned with relationships between individuals, and covers such areas as tort, contract, restitution and property and family law.
