What is The Difference Between An Act And A Law?
In legal terms, the differences between what a law is and what an act is does not differ much. The difference between a law and an act is that a law is any system of regulations (better known as laws), that govern, or rule the conduct of the people of society or community usually for protection. Whereas an act is a constitutional plan passed by Congress or any legislature that is referred to as a “bill” until ratified and becomes a law.
What is an Example of a “Law” versus an “Act”?
Example of a Law
An example of a law is in the United States it is a federal offense to sell tobacco and alcohol products to minors. This is a law because it is meant to protect minors from using tobacco and consuming alcohol for health and safety reasons.
Example of an Act
An example of an act is The G.I. Bill. In the United States, the G.I. Bill is officially known as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944. The G.I. Bill gives military veterans benefits such as unemployment compensation, and the chance to attend college.
What is the Simplified Difference between Laws and Act?
To make it simple and easier to understand, laws exist so that citizens of the public are protected whereas acts exist so that an idea of the government is made mandatory for the public. Before an act is a law, an act is technically called a bill. In order for an act to officially become law a legislature must vote on a bill. If the bill is voted in the bill then becomes an act, thus, becoming a law.