Corporate law is the law that governs corporations and is part of the broader category of companies law, which applies to all types of businesses, like partnerships and trusts. But corporate law is more specific and applies to how shareholders, directors, employees and other stakeholders interact with each other and the company. The law deals with firms that are incorporated and display the characteristics of a corporation, which are separate legal personality of the corporation, limited liability of the shareholders, transferable shares, delegated management, and investor ownership. The last characteristic is not uniformly accepted, but for the most part companies that fit these descriptions are subject to corporate law.

Real estate law deals with legal codes pertaining to commercial and residential property. Real estate and real property are usually accepted as synonymous and are differentiated from personal property, or chattel. Fixtures, such as houses or buildings which are permanently attached to land are considered par of real property and are governed by real estate law. Trees, minerals, and other permanent structures also fall under these regulations as well as the benefits and rights that they bestow upon the owner of the property.