Public law, or the law relating to the constitution and functions of government and its officers and the administration of criminal justice. Also public ownership , or the paramount or sovereign territorial right or title of the state or government. See Jus PRIVATUM . Jus publicum et privatum quod ex natnralibus prrcceptis aut gentium aut civilibus est collectum; et quod in jure scripto jus appellatur, id in lege An- glise rectum esse dicitur. Co. Litt. 185. Public and private law is that which is collected from natural principles, either of nations or in states; and that which in the civil law is called “jus.” in the law of England is said to be “right.” Jus publicum privatorum pactis mn- tari non potest. A public law or right cannot be altered by the agreements of private persons.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
