Incommon law jurisdictions such asEngland,Wales, and theUnited States,civil law refers to the branch oflaw that deals with non-criminal matters, includingdisputes between private individuals or organizations. This usage differs from that incivil law jurisdictions such asFrance,Germany, andChina, wherecivil law refers to the codified legal system derived fromRoman law. Within common law systems, civil law encompasses areas such ascontracts,torts, andproperty, and may be divided intosubstantive andprocedural law. Its primary concern is the rights and duties of individuals among themselves. Civil proceedings are generally intended to obtaincompensation oranother remedy, distinguishing them fromcriminal proceedings, which aim to impose punishment, though exemplary orpunitive damages may occasionally be awarded in civil cases.
Civil law (in common law countries) can be described as all of the following:
Civil procedure – body of law that sets out the rules and standards that courts follow when adjudicating civil lawsuits (as opposed to procedures in criminal law matters). These rules govern how a lawsuit or case may be commenced, what kind of service of process (if any) is required, the types of pleadings or statements of case, motions or applications, and orders allowed in civil cases, the timing and manner of depositions and discovery or disclosure, the conduct of trials, the process for judgment, various available remedies, and how the courts and clerks must function.
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