CIVIL LAW

■ Known as private law

■ Regulates disputes between individuals and parties
■ Society does not have an interest in regulating civil disputes, they are
only important to the parties involved
■ Civil actions include claims arising from:
– Accidents
– Injuries done by one person to another’s body, property or reputation
– Divorces, child custody and support claims
– Adoptions
– Failure to pay for work done
– Nonpayment of rent
– Unpaid debt
■ Victim may bring an action against the person who committed the civil
wrong for damages ($) or some other civil remedy
Key Players

■ Civil lawsuit involves two parties – the PLAINTIFF (person suing) and
the DEFENDANT (person being sued)
■ Process of suing is called LITIGATION and parties involved are the
LITIGANTS
– Both parties must prepare the fact of the case
■ Burden of Proof is on the plaintiff – however, they are not required to
prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt
■ Plaintiff must prove the case on the BALANCE OF PROBABILITIES –
this means that as the plaintiff, you must prove that the events took
place in the way you claim
– The defendant will try to show that his or her version is what really
happened