Description of the legal term Civil Law:
Civil law, in the context of the British system, refers to a body of law that deals with disputes between individuals or organisations, typically involving private rights and remedies. It contrasts with criminal law, which deals with offences against the state and society as a whole. Civil law covers a wide range of legal issues, including contracts, torts (such as negligence), property disputes, family law issues such as divorce and child custody, and inheritance.
The main purpose of civil law is to provide remedies for individuals or organisations that have suffered harm as a result of the actions or inactions of others. Remedies in civil law often involve compensation or restitution, the aim of which is to restore the injured party to the position they were in before the harm occurred.
Legal context in which the term Civil Law may be used:
Example 1: Contract dispute
A company, ABC Ltd, enters into a contract with a supplier, XYZ Corp, to purchase a large quantity of materials. XYZ Corp. fails to deliver the materials on time, causing financial loss to ABC Ltd. ABC Ltd may bring a civil action against XYZ Corp for breach of contract. In this case, the court may order XYZ Corp. to pay damages to ABC Ltd. for the loss caused by the late delivery. The aim is to make ABC Ltd whole for the breach of contract.
Example 2: Personal injury claim
Sarah is injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver. She files a civil lawsuit against the driver, seeking compensation for her medical expenses, lost wages and other damages resulting from the injury. In this personal injury case, the court will determine whether the other driver was in fact negligent and, if so, the amount of damages Sarah should be awarded. The aim is to provide Sarah with a remedy for the harm she suffered as a result of the other driver’s negligent actions.
