public law

public law   n.   The branch of law that deals with the state or government and its relationships with individuals or other governments. A law affecting the public.

Main Entry: public law
Function: noun
1 : an enactment of a legislature that affects the public at large throughout the entire territory (as a state or nation) which is subject to the jurisdiction of the legislature or within a particular subdivision of its jurisdiction : GENERAL LAW called also public act public statute —compare LOCAL LAW 1a
2 a : the area of law that deals with the relations of individuals with the state and regulates the organization and conduct of government —compare PRIVATE LAW b : international law regulating the relations among sovereign states or nations as distinguished from private international law