Law vs act

Question

what is the difference between an act and a law?

Lawyee · Accepted Answer

Both words, naturally, have several meanings. However, with respect to your question, this is the answer:
1. Act is a legal document (in written form) passed by a legislator to regulate certain area of social behaviour. It is one of the sources of law. In the Continental legal system, this is the most common form of law. When citing provisions of the Civil Code, you will refer to it as:
section ....... of the act no. ............... Civil Code as amended
The word statute is often use to refer to act as well.

2. Law is generally a system of rules of behaviour covering all sources of law (including acts). Thererfore, no confusion between these words can be made. On the other hand the word law is also used when generally referring to legal regulation of certain situations by saying: "Under the relevant law ..." or when explaining the legal circumstances of a case "the Slovak law requires a written form for such contracts".
So, if you are referring to specific statute, use the word act, but if you are generally referring to legal regulation of certain situation, use the word law.
I hope it will help you

Lawyee

Anonymous · Answer

Thank u for helping me to understand the difference b/w law & Act...

Anonymous · Answer

thank u very much it helped alot

Anonymous · Answer

SO AM I RIGHT IN THINKING THAT LAWS REQUIRE NO CONSENT WHEREAS AN ACT OR STATUTE REQUIRES THE CONSENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL NOT THE CONSENT OF THE MASSES? THE ACT OR STATUTE WOULD CARRY THE FORCE OF LAW WHEN CONSENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED

Fivejedjon · Answer

Please don't write everything in capitals - it gives the impression of shouting.

An 'act', in British English, has passed through parliament, been approved, and is now part of the law of the land. The word 'law' is less precise.

Clive · Answer

Laws and acts do not require the assent of an ordinary, unelected individual.

Clive.

Anonymous · Answer

That is great it has really helped me

Anonymous · Answer

Act can only have the force of law when agreed to. This is a maxim of law. Which basically means it isn't law unless there is agreement of the parties. (Contract). A drivers licence, Hunting Licence, etc would be proof of contract. Basically what it boils down to is this.

1,. Criminal Code - Deals with Crime. Murder, Theft, Assault, Property Damage etc.
2. Acts - Contract Terms.
3. Bylaws - Corporate Policies, which are only applicable to corporate employees.

Many people lump all the above under "law" which is not the case. There are major differences which is why they have different classifications.

Fivejedjon · Answer

AnonymousAct can only have the force of law when agreed to. This is a maxim of law. Which basically means it isn't law unless there is agreement of the parties. (Contract). A drivers licence, Hunting Licence, etc would be proof of contract.

This is simply not true, in the UK at least., once a Bill (a proposed law) has been approved in both houses of parliament and received the sovereign's assent, it is the law of the land. Nobody else needs to agree to it.

Contracts mat be regulated by Acts, but they are not Acts. The same is true of hunting licences, driving licences, etc, which are neither contracts nor acts.

Anonymous2. Acts - Contract Terms.

Not in Britain

Anonymous3. Bylaws - Corporate Policies, which are only applicable to corporate employees.

Not in Britain.

There is a great deal on the internet about laws requiring the assent of the people. This is rubbish, pure rubbish. Once the Crown in Parliament has passed a law, it is law, no matter who disagrees with it.. In theory, I suppose, the assent of the people has been given by their representatives in parliament. An individual can claim that s/he he does not assent to a law, but that makes no difference. The law still applies to him/her.

There is also a great deal of rubbish about Common Law[. The basis of English (though not Scottish law) and the law of many Commonwealth countries and the United States is Common Law. However, any Act of Parliament in England supersedes any and all previous Act(s) and any and all provision(s) of Common Law.

Serpens · Answer

But what of acting or enacting? Or, in other words, one contracting to do some act, or permit some act be done? This is most certainly not making law as it regards to a legislature.
Further, as I understand things, a Bill can only become law after it has been "Enacted," So, how does this follow?

Perhaps Bouvier's Law Dictionary (1856) might help?

ACT, civil law, contracts. A writing which states in a legal form that a thing has been said, done, or agreed. In Latin, Instrumentum. Merl. Rep.

ACT. In the legal sense, this word may be used to signify the result of a public deliberation, the decision of a prince, of a legislative body, of a council, court of justice, or a magistrate. Also, a decree, edict, law, judgment, resolve, award, determination. Also, an instrument in writing to verify facts, as act of assembly, act of congress, act of parliament, act and deed. See Webster's Dict. Acts are civil or criminal, lawful or unlawful, public or private.
2. Public acts, usually denominated authentic, are those which have a public authority, and which have been made before public officers, are authorized by a public seal, have been made public by the authority of a magistrate, or which have been extracted and been properly authenticated from public records.
3. Acts under private signature are those which have been made by private individuals, under their hands. An act of this kind does not acquire the force of an authentic act, by being registered in the office of a notary. 5 N. S. 693; 8 N. S. 568 ; 3 L. R. 419 ; 8 N. S. 396 ; 11 M. R. 243; unless it hasheen properly acknowledged before the officer, bythe parties to it. 5 N. S. 196.
4. Private acts are those made by private persons, as registers in relation to their receipts and expenditures, schedules, acquittances, and the like. Nov. 73, c. 2 ; Code, lib. 7, ***. 32, 1. 6; lib. 4, t. 21; Dig. lib. 22, ***.. 4; Civ. Code of Louis. art. 2231 to 2254; Toull. Dr. Civ. Francais, tom. 8, p. 94.

Law vs act

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions