The terms “act” and “law” are often used interchangeably since they are so similar. Nevertheless, these are separate concepts that cannot both be included within a Constitution. The main difference would be that an act is approved by the legislative body, but a law is a collection of rules enforced by the government.
Summary
Unlike an act, the term “law” may be used more than once to refer to multiple instances of a constant law. For example, the civil rights amendments of 1964 were a series of laws, not an act. The term was much more broadly applied to a series of laws or statements of problems or policies issued by the government.
Act vs Law
The main difference between an Act and a Law is that an Act is legislation passed by Parliament. On the other hand, the law is a collection of rules and regulations mandated by a government. Acts can amend existing acts or create new ones for the benefit of society, whereas laws are created to protect citizens’ rights and equality.
An Act is a decree or law passed by the appropriate legislature, such as the State Legislative Assembly or Parliament. A bill is introduced in the house of representatives and then voted on by the legislators. It will be sent to the Head of State and the President for acceptance if it passes. It is implemented as an act once it has been approved.
Other forms of law are ordinances, regulations, rules, by-laws, instructions, statutes, and modifications. The rule of law is a set of guidelines recommended by contract, authority, and custom. Law refers to anything that has the authority to impose legal obligations, rights, and obligations on the citizens of a nation. It is only through a law that our legal system works. The law is an absolute thing, imposed upon individuals by the courts and enforced by the police.
Comparison Table Between Act and Law
| Parameter of Comparison | Act | Law |
| Definition | When a bill is introduced, it goes through the legislative process and is adopted. It is more customized for unique people in various situations. | Law is a set of rules designed to regulate individuals and ensure that they follow them in order to profit people and society. Laws are made to keep the peace and protect the people. |
| Relation between the two words | A subset of law is an act. | The bigger picture is within the sole jurisdiction of the law. |
| Objective | Acts are written to address a specific issue, such as what an individual might do if he or she finds themselves in a difficult position. | The law binds everyone to obey the established norms and regulations. |
| Nature of procedure | Specific | General |
| Audience | Deals with specific occasions and individuals. | Practical equally to all the individuals of a nation. |
What is an Act?
Acts are laws adopted by the government or a legislative body to help individuals comprehend what specific circumstances entail, how they should react or behave in those situations, and why it is so vital to follow such laws.
The Act covers the legislation made by the legislative body for a specific topic, as well as their linked and specialized clauses. It is more unique to a certain group of individuals, i.e. how they behave in a given scenario.
Let’s take drunk driving as an example. There are certain regulations that have been specified, and people are fully aware of them. Although there is a particular DUI Act that defines what constitutes drunk driving.
A bill is introduced in parliament or the appropriate legislature (in both chambers) and voted on by its members; if passed, it is delivered to the Governor or the Head of the government for approval. It is put into effect once it has been authorized. It’s a constitutionally sound strategy.
Different Acts deal with various areas of the established legislation. Some acts are administrative, while others are meaningful, and some are open to the public while others are closed to the public.
What is Law?
Law is a set of rules and regulations designed to control a society and its inhabitants. Laws are enacted to guarantee that people follow the established norms of society in their conduct and behavior.
Government institutions are in charge of enforcing laws, and they have sovereign authority. Any person or group of persons discovered breaking or failing to follow the law will be penalized.
People are protected by laws, and public order is maintained by laws. It spells forth what you are and are not allowed to do as a citizen of the country. Men regard laws to be sovereign and superior in terms of politics. It may also be viewed as a social construction technique that assures that society’s members do not commit any wrongdoings.
Laws are critical to the safety of a community and a nation as a whole. It instills a sense of duty in the good and terror in the wicked. It safeguards people from others by establishing a system of rules that govern the social life of an individual’s family, possessions, and, above all, their life.
Main Differences Between Act and Law
- An act is a subset of law that refers to statutes enacted by the relevant legislative body and signed by the Governor or President. A framework of rules, concepts, or regulations established to successfully manage the activities or behavior of individuals in society and implemented by a public agency or legal authority body is known as law.
- An act is unique in that it applies to a specific group of individuals in a specific scenario or condition. On the other hand, the law is more generic in character, meaning it applies to everyone and treats everyone the same.
- A bill represents an act, whereas a law is enforceable because it is a well-established occurrence.
- Act comes before law because if there were no law, there would have been no act.
- Acts are written to inform people about particular laws and regulations, whereas the Law is written to prevent unfair acts, preserve public order, and, most importantly, protect persons or people.
Conclusion
People routinely use the terms law and act without much thought. To prevent any unwanted circumstances, one must grasp how acts and rules are defined for people and society.
Acts, as well as laws, are put in place solely for our care and security, hence it is our job to properly adhere to them. Imagine a circumstance in which there is no Act or Law in place for anything. What would have been the circumstance or what would happen? This would result in unrest and devastation throughout the country.
Both the law and act are vitally important and critical for the effective running and structure of society’s and the nation’s management.