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Categories of Law
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International Law
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Laws that govern the conduct between independent nations.

Generally created by customs.

Some organizations also have international legal status

United Nations – Universal Declaration of Human Rights. UN
peacekeepers, the ‘blue helmets’, go to warring nations to help
restore peace.

International Court of Justice (ICJ) – based at The Hague in the
Netherlands. Hears disputes amongst member nations and their
government.
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Domestic Law

Law’s made within a nation’s borders (case and statute law)
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Two Sections – Substantive Law and Procedural Law
The Law
International Law
Domestic Law
Substantive
Procedural
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Substantive Law

Defines the rights, duties, and obligations of citizens and
levels of governments.

Includes the right to own and protect property, to enter into a
contract and seek remedies if the contract is broken.
Procedural Law

The law that prescribes methods of enforcing the rights,
duties, and responsibilities found in substantive law.

Includes the gathering of evidence, following the legal
requirements to a lawful arrest, and adhering to correct trial
procedures.
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Public Law

A category of substantive law regulating the relationship
between the government and its citizens.
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Constitutional Law – basic laws, principles, and standards all
other laws must adhere to.

Administrative Law – Most influential in the everyday lives of
Canadians. Law related to the relationship between people,
government departments, boards and agencies.

Criminal Law – Law that identifies crimes and prescribes
punishment. These crimes are described in the Criminal Code of
Canada and other statutes.
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The Law
International Law
Domestic Law
Substantive
Public Law
Constitutional
Law
Administrative
Law
Procedural
Private Law
Criminal
Law
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Private Law

Law that deals with the legal relationships between
individuals and individuals/organizations (not including the
government). The main purpose is to compensate people
who have been harmed by the wrongful acts of others.

Tort: law that holds people responsible for damage they cause
another person as a result of accidental or deliberate action
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Contract: provides rules regarding agreements between people
and businesses.

Family: deals with various aspects of the family (marriage,
property division, custody, child support, divorce).

Wills and Estates: concerned with the division and distribution
of property after death.

Property Law: governs ownership rights in property (ownership
and transfer).
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Employment Law: governs employer-employee relationships.
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The Law
International Law
Domestic Law
Substantive
Procedural
Public Law
Constitutional
Law
Administrative
Law
Criminal
Law
Private Law
Tort
Law
Family
Law
Contract
Law
Property
Law
Wills
and
Estates
Employment
Law