Civil — in plain language

Plain language

relating to private disputes between individuals or organizations, rather than crimes or government prosecution

• non-criminal
• private
• relating to private rights

What to watch for

• Non-lawyers often confuse 'civil' with 'polite.' In a legal document, it almost always means 'not criminal.'
• Translators must be careful not to imply that 'civil' matters are unimportant. While they aren't criminal, they can still result in massive financial penalties or loss of property.
• In international contexts, 'civil law' refers to a specific type of legal system (code-based), which is different from the common-law system used in the US and UK. Translators must check if the document refers to a 'civil case' (non-criminal) or a 'civil law system' (code-based).

Distinguishing from Similar Terms. "Civil" is frequently paired with "criminal." The most important distinction for a reader is that criminal law involves the state seeking punishment (like jail time), while civil law involves private parties seeking compensation (like money or an order to do something).

Common Misunderstandings by Non-Lawyers.

• "Civil means the person is being polite." (No — it refers to the type of legal system, not the behavior of the parties.)
• "Civil cases are less serious than criminal cases." (Not necessarily — a civil case can involve millions of dollars or the loss of a business, which can be just as devastating as a criminal penalty.)
• "Civil law means the same thing everywhere." (No — in some countries, 'civil law' refers to the entire legal system based on codes, whereas in the US, it usually just means 'not criminal.')

Legal definition

In a legal context, "civil" refers to matters involving private disputes between people, businesses, or organizations. It is the opposite of "criminal," which involves the government prosecuting someone for breaking the law. Civil cases usually focus on resolving disagreements, such as contract breaches or personal injury claims, rather than punishing someone for a crime.

Meanings by context

everyday English: Being polite or relating to the public.

civil law (legal system): A system of law where rules are written down in a comprehensive book or code, common in many European and Latin American countries.

Examples

Where you'll see it

• court filings
• contract disputes
• lawsuits
• government regulations

Related terms

• criminal
• tort
• litigation
• civil procedure
• plaintiff
• defendant

Word details

Pronunciation

SIV-uhl

Part of speech

adjective

Origin

Latin — from 'civilis' — relating to a citizen

Domains

civil law, contract law, tort law, litigation

Frequency

very common

Formality

moderate