Which of the following is a characteristic of public law?

Public law is primarily concerned with the laws that govern the relationship between individuals and the government, as well as the laws that relate to public policy. This encompasses areas such as constitutional law, administrative law, and criminal law, which all play a significant role in ensuring that governmental authority is exercised within the bounds of the law and that citizens' rights are protected against government actions.

In contrast, the other options reflect characteristics associated with private law, which governs relationships among individuals and typically involves private disputes or contractual agreements. Private law focuses more on issues like contracts, property, torts, and family law, rather than the relationship between individuals and the state. Therefore, option B accurately captures the essence of public law by highlighting its focus on government regulation and public policy.