Intro to Paralegal Studies Practice Exam 2026 - Free Paralegal Practice Questions and Study Guide

Contract law is indeed a basic area of civil law. Civil law generally encompasses legal matters that involve disputes between individuals or organizations, where the objective is typically to seek compensation or enforce rights, rather than to punish an offender as in criminal law.

Contract law specifically addresses the formation, enforcement, and interpretation of agreements between parties. It governs a wide array of transactions and relationships, such as business contracts, service agreements, and sales transactions, ensuring that the parties involved adhere to their promises and obligations. This area of law allows individuals and businesses to enter into agreements with a level of legal certainty and recourse in case of breach.

In contrast, other areas mentioned, such as criminal law, involve the prosecution and punishment of wrongdoing and are not categorized under civil law. Public law concerns the relationship between individuals and the government and includes areas such as constitutional and administrative law, while international law deals with the rules governing relations between states and international organizations, which are also distinct from civil law.