What is the difference between law and justice?

• A. Law is justice, and justice is law.
• B. Justice is the written text of the law; law is interpretation.
• C. Law is the system of rules; justice is the fair and impartial application of those rules.
• D. Law and justice are identical.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is understanding the difference between the system of rules and how those rules are applied fairly. Law is the system of rules created by authorities, like Parliament, that tell people what they can and can’t do and set out consequences for breaking those rules. Justice is about applying those rules in a fair and impartial way—ensuring people are treated equally, have a fair chance to present their side, and that outcomes are reasonable and guided by due process.

This is why the correct answer fits best: law is the overall set of rules, while justice refers to how those rules are carried out in a fair, unbiased manner. For example, a tax law establishes a rule, but justice comes in how the tax is collected and enforced—making sure procedures are clear, non-discriminatory, and that people can appeal if they think they’re treated unfairly.

The other ideas mix up the relationship: treating justice as merely the written text ignores how rules can be unfair in practice or misapplied; treating law as justice equates having rules with fairness; and saying they’re identical ignores that rules can exist without fair enforcement or interpretation.