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Public Law

public law n

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
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

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.