Magánjogi

Magánjogi, or private law, is the branch of law that governs relationships between private persons and entities, such as individuals, companies, and associations. It defines rights and duties arising from private acts and transactions, including contracts, property ownership, family arrangements, and succession. It is distinct from public law, which regulates the state and public interests.

Key areas of magánjogi include kötelemjog (obligations law), which covers contracts and non-contractual obligations; dologi jog (property law), which governs ownership and other rights in things; családjog (family law); and öröklési jog (inheritance law). In many legal systems, corporate or commercial matters with private-law characteristics fall under magánjogi, such as company law and private contract disputes. Private law also interacts with private international law when disputes cross borders.

Private law draws on the civil-law tradition and is codified in comprehensive statutes. In Hungary, the Polgári Törvénykönyv (Civil Code) is a central instrument shaping magánjogi rules. The aim of magánjogi is to regulate relations in a predictable framework, provide remedies for breaches (such as damages, specific performance, or restitution), and facilitate voluntary exchange while recognizing principles like good faith and fairness. Disputes are typically resolved in courts, though private arbitration and mediation also play a role in private-law matters.