Law: Definitions and Classifications

Law is defined as the science of moral laws based on the rational nature of man, governing his free activity for the realization of his individual and social ends, demandable and reciprocal

Law is therefore, the expression of the sovereignty of the people through duly constituted authority such as the legislature.

Elements of Law:

• a rule of conduct

• just

• obligatory

• promulgated by legal authority

• enacted for common observance and benefit

Classifications of Law under the Philippine system:

Substantive laws - grant rights and privileges

Remedial laws - are responsible for enforcing or protecting said substantive rights

Public laws - deal with subjects of public nature (e.g., crimes)

Private laws - govern private transactions between parties

Civil laws - deal with relationships between persons

Political laws - deal with a person’s relationship with the government

Prospectivity - also known as irretrospectivity, refers to the laws that can only be applied after their effectivity date

Retroactivity - application of a law even before its effectivity date

Prospective laws look forward while retrospective laws look backward.