Which classification of law creates, defines, and regulates parties' rights, duties, and powers?

• A. Substantive Law
• B. Civil Law
• C. Procedural Law
• D. Equity

Answer: (A)

Substantive law defines and regulates the actual rights and duties of people and the powers they hold. It determines what counts as a breach, who is liable, and what remedies or penalties apply, shaping the content of legal relationships—such as contracts, torts, or property interests. Procedural law, in contrast, sets out the process for enforcing those rights, like how to file a lawsuit, what evidence is required, and how courts operate. Equity serves as a fairness-based supplement that can provide remedies beyond strict legal rules, but it doesn’t establish the fundamental obligations themselves. So, the classification that creates, defines, and regulates parties’ rights, duties, and powers is substantive law.