What type of law governs the rights and duties of individuals among themselves?

Private law governs the rights and duties of individuals among themselves. It encompasses areas such as contracts, torts, property law, and family law, focusing on issues that arise between private individuals or entities. For instance, when two parties enter into a contract, private law defines how that contract is created, enforced, or breached, providing a legal framework for resolving disputes.

In contrast, criminal law involves actions that are offenses against the state or public and addresses conduct that is considered harmful to society as a whole. Administrative law governs the activities of governmental agencies, addressing regulations and rules that agencies create to enforce statutes. Constitutional law focuses on the interpretation and implementation of a country's constitution, dealing with the powers and limitations of government entities and the rights of individuals against the state. Each of these areas serves a distinct purpose, but only private law directly concerns the legal relationships and disputes between individuals.