What does substantive law define?

Substantive law is fundamentally concerned with the substance of legal rights and duties. It defines the legal relationship between individuals or entities and the state, including the rights, responsibilities, and obligations that govern their interactions. This means it outlines what behaviors are permissible, what rights individuals possess, and what legal standards apply to various actions and situations.

For example, criminal law, contract law, and tort law are all categories of substantive law that determine the legal framework within which individuals operate and interact with one another and the government. This relationship is crucial because it establishes the groundwork for legal accountability and enforcement, ensuring individuals understand their rights and the legal consequences of their actions.

In contrast, other choices focus on different aspects of law. Rules for legal proceedings pertain to procedural law, which governs how substantive laws are applied and enforced in courts. Methods for law enforcement are relevant to law enforcement protocols and practices but do not directly define legal relationships. Lastly, the classification of private and public law refers to the categorization of laws rather than the relationships they define.