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Simple English definitions for legal terms
civil case
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A quick definition of civil case:
A civil case is a type of lawsuit that involves private disputes between individuals or organizations. These disputes can be about things like property rights, contracts, or personal injuries. The person or group who starts the case (called the plaintiff) believes that the other person or group (called the defendant) has not fulfilled their legal responsibilities. The plaintiff may ask the court to make the defendant do what they're supposed to do, or to compensate the plaintiff for any harm they've suffered.
A more thorough explanation:
A civil case is a type of lawsuit that is not related to criminal activity. It usually involves disputes over private property rights, such as those protected by the Constitution or federal and state laws. Examples of civil cases include:
- Breach of contract
- Probate
- Divorce
- Negligence
- Copyright violations
When a civil case is filed, the person or entity bringing the lawsuit (the plaintiff) claims that the other person or entity (the defendant) has not fulfilled a legal obligation owed to them. The plaintiff may ask the court to order the defendant to fulfill their obligation, provide compensation for harm caused, or both.
For example, if someone hires a contractor to build a house and the contractor fails to complete the work as agreed upon, the homeowner may file a civil lawsuit for breach of contract. In this case, the plaintiff (homeowner) is seeking compensation for the harm caused by the defendant's (contractor's) failure to fulfill their legal obligation.