Substantive vs. Procedural Law

Substantive law defines the rights and duties of individuals and governs how people interact with each other, such as laws against theft or contracts. It concerns the substance of legal matters. Procedural law, on the other hand, outlines the processes and rules that courts follow to resolve disputes and enforce laws, such as how to file a lawsuit or conduct a trial. Essentially, substantive law tells us what the laws are, while procedural law explains how those laws are applied and enforced in the legal system.