What is "conflict of laws"

Conflict \Con"flict\, n. [L. conflictus a striking together, fr. confligere, -flictum, to strike together, to fight: cf. F. conflit, formerly also conflict. See Conflict, v.]

1. A striking or dashing together; violent collision; as, a conflict of elements or waves.

2. A strife for the mastery; hostile contest; battle; struggle; fighting.

   As soon as he [Atterbury] was himself again, he became eager for action and conflict.
   --Macaulay.

   An irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring forces.
   --W. H. Seward.

   Conflict of laws, that branch of jurisprudence which deals with individual litigation claimed to be subject to the conflicting laws of two or more states or nations; -- often used as synonymous with Private international law.

   Syn: Contest; collision; struggle; combat; strife; contention; battle; fight; encounter. See Contest.

Conflict of laws or private international law (both terms are used interchangeably) concerns relations across different legal jurisdictions between persons, and sometimes also companies, corporations and other legal entities.