Public and Private Law
Public law:
Comprises those branches or fields of law in which the state has a direct interest as the sovereign.
It is concerned with the constitution and functions of the various organs of government, including local authorities, their relations with each other and the citizenry.
Examples include Constitutional law, Administrative law and Criminal law. It asserts state sovereignty.
Private law
Consists of those fields of law in which the state has no direct interest as the state. It is concerned with the rights and duties of persons in ordinary transactions e.g. law of
contract, torts, marriage, succession, trust, property etc.