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Law vocabulary · Legal Systems & Sources of Law

Private law

Meaning in law, with examples

nounCommon term

In law, private law means: The area of law that governs relationships between private persons and companies, such as contracts, property, family matters and torts.

In Turkish: özel hukuk

How it is used

Contrasted with public law. In civil law countries the division is fundamental and shapes how courts are organised; in Turkey, for example, administrative courts hear public law disputes, while civil courts hear private law disputes. 'Private international law' decides which country's law applies to a case.

Example sentences

  1. Contract and tort are the two main pillars of private law.

  2. The disagreement between the two neighbours is a matter of private law.

Common collocations

  • private law dispute
  • private international law
  • private law rights
  • public and private law
  • public lawThe area of law that deals with the state and its relationship with individuals, including constitutional, administrative and criminal law.
  • civil lawA legal system based mainly on written codes, used in most of continental Europe, Latin America and Turkey; also the area of law that deals with private disputes rather than crimes.
  • contractAn agreement between two or more parties that the law will enforce, setting out what each side must do or give.
  • tortA wrongful act, other than a breach of contract, that causes harm to another person and allows them to claim compensation in a civil court.
  • propertyThings that someone owns, such as land, buildings, goods or money, and also the legal right of ownership over those things.

More terms: Legal Systems & Sources of Law

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.