Civil action

Civil action is a legal term that refers to a lawsuit brought by a private individual or a corporate entity, as opposed to a criminal prosecution initiated by the government. A civil action is typically initiated to protect a private or civil right or to compensate for a wrong or injury.

Overview

A civil action is a legal proceeding initiated by a person or entity, known as the plaintiff, against another person or entity, known as the defendant. The plaintiff seeks a legal remedy, often in the form of monetary damages, for an alleged wrong committed by the defendant. Unlike a criminal action, which is initiated by the government to punish a violation of criminal law, a civil action is initiated by a private party and is primarily concerned with the resolution of disputes and the enforcement of rights.

Types of Civil Actions

There are many types of civil actions, including tort actions, contract actions, property actions, and family law actions.

• Tort actions are civil actions that are initiated by a plaintiff who has been harmed as a result of the defendant's wrongful conduct. Examples of tort actions include negligence actions, defamation actions, and personal injury actions.

• Contract actions are civil actions that are initiated by a plaintiff who alleges that the defendant has breached a contract. The plaintiff seeks damages for the breach or specific performance of the contract.

• Property actions are civil actions that involve disputes over property. These can include actions for trespass, actions for nuisance, and actions to quiet title.

• Family law actions are civil actions that involve disputes within a family, such as divorce, child custody, and child support actions.

Procedure

The procedure for a civil action is governed by the rules of civil procedure. These rules dictate how a lawsuit is initiated, how the parties exchange information, how the case is tried, and how the judgment is enforced.

See Also

• Civil procedure
• Tort
• Contract
• Property law
• Family law