<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations . Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (April 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> Public law is that part of law which governs relationships between individuals and the government, and those relationships between individuals which are of direct concern to society . Public law comprises constitutional law, administrative law, tax law and criminal law, as well as all procedural law . In public law, mandatory rules prevail . Laws concerning relationships between individuals belong to private law . </P> <P> The relationships public law governs are asymmetric and unequal--government bodies (central or local) can make decisions about the rights of individuals . However, as a consequence of the rule of law doctrine, authorities may only act within the law (secundum et intra legem). The government must obey the law . For example, a citizen unhappy with a decision of an administrative authority can ask a court for judicial review . </P> <P> Rights, too, can be divided into private rights and public rights . A paragon of a public right is the right to welfare benefits--only a natural person can claim such payments, and they are awarded through an administrative decision out of the government budget . </P>

A state party includes the state itself its agencies and its subdivisions