What is a Law and What is an Act?
3/8/17 What is a Law and What is an Act?
The difference between law and act exist in their formation. Law is a word that is easily understood by common people. It is a piece of legislation that is binding upon people and is followed by all. It has provisions that are applicable on people in different circumstances. Laws are made by the legislators who are the members of the parliament. Many people cannot make out the difference between a Law and an Act as they believe both are same and interchangeable. Well, they are right to an extent as Acts of Parliament are a type of Law and there are other types of legislation also.
- What is a Law?
A law is a system of regulations that are made to govern people, to help them in their conduct according to the norms of the society. Laws are generally for the protection of people and to maintain public order. Laws are there to guide and protect people. Laws are more general in nature.
- What is an Act?
Act is a piece of legislation that is more specific and applies to particular circumstances and specific people. For example, there are laws against drunk driving and people are aware of them while DUI is the specific Act that pertains to drunk driving. Furthermore, Acts are made by the government, to let people know about provisions pertaining to a specific situation, and how and why public is required to follow these mandatory rules and regulations.
We said that an Act is more specific. That is because usually an Act is a constitutional plan that is created by the government. This has to be created at the parliament. It also has to pass the vote of the parliament ministers in order to become a law. Until an Act is passed by parliament, in order to turn it to a law, an Act is known as a Bill. Through an Act, the ideas of the government are made mandatory for the people of the country
- What is the difference between Act and Law?
