eraõiguslik

Eraõiguslik, or private law, is the branch of law that governs legal relationships between private persons and private entities, as opposed to public law, which regulates relations between individuals and the state. It deals with rights and duties that arise in everyday private interactions and transactions.

The scope of eraõiguslik includes several core areas. Contract law and other obligations determine how private parties create and fulfill agreements and handle breaches. Property law covers the rights and transfers of ownership and use of land and movable property. Family law regulates relationships such as marriage, partnership, parental rights, and related obligations. Inheritance law regulates the transfer of assets upon death. Company or corporate law governs the formation, operation, and dissolution of legal entities and the relations among shareholders, managers, and creditors. Private law often deals with civil liability for harm, compensation for damages, and the resolution of disputes through courts or other private-law mechanisms.

Eraõiguslik is typically codified and applied through civil law instruments and codes, such as civil code provisions that regulate private relations. It operates in contrast to avalik õigus (public law), which includes constitutional, administrative, and criminal law. While eraõiguslik focuses on private interests, its application is mediated by public institutions and enforcement mechanisms, such as courts and notaries, to protect individual rights and provide remedies. The term is commonly used in Estonian legal discourse to describe the segment of law dealing with private relationships and transactions.