The structure of law The study of law distinguishes between public law and private law, but in legal practice in the UK the distinction between civil law and criminal law is more important to practising lawyers. Public law - relates to the state, it is concerned with laws which govern processes in local and national government and conflicts between the individual and the state in areas sucha s immigration and social security Private law - concerned with the relationships between legal persons (individuals and corporations), it also includes family law, contract law and property law Criminal law - deals with certain forms of conduct for which the state reserves punishment (f.e. murder or theft), the state prosecutes the offender Civil law - concerns relations between private persons, their rights and duties, it is also concerned with conduct which may give raise to a claim by a legal person for compensation or an injuction Substantive law - creates, defines or regulates rights, liabilities and duties in all areas of law Procedural law - defines the procedure by which a law is to be enforced