OCR A-Level Law Practice Exam

Substantive law is fundamentally concerned with the content of the law itself, particularly the rules that define rights, obligations, and duties of individuals and entities. It encompasses the areas of law that govern the way members of a society are expected to behave, such as contract law, tort law, and property law. These laws stipulate what is permissible and what is not, establishing the legal framework for behavior and ensuring the protection of rights.

In contrast, procedural law deals with the processes and rules that govern how legal cases are processed through the legal system, including the steps taken in litigation. Penalties and enforcement are typically part of criminal law or administrative law, which are focused on consequences rather than defining rights. Historical aspects of law pertain to the study of legal development and changes over time, which do not encompass the definition or application of current legal rights and obligations. This distinction emphasizes that substantive law is essential for understanding the legal framework that determines individuals' rights and responsibilities in various contexts.