What is the difference between public law and private law?

Public law is concerned with the relationships and interactions between individuals and the state or government. It encompasses areas such as constitutional law, administrative law, and criminal law, which all involve the state enforcing regulations and laws that affect the public. For instance, when a person is prosecuted for a crime, or when a citizen challenges a government decision, public law is at play. This type of law is focused on issues that affect society as a whole and seeks to regulate the conduct of both individuals and government actions.

In contrast, the other options provided do not accurately define public law. For example, public law does not refer to relationships solely between individuals and businesses, thus eliminating the first choice. The second choice misrepresents private law by suggesting that it governs relations between businesses and the state, which is actually the domain of public law. Lastly, private law typically pertains to the relationships between private individuals or organizations, rather than involving national or international agreements, which further clarifies its distinction from public law. Therefore, the definition of public law as governing interactions between individuals and the state is accurate and highlights its fundamental role in the legal system.