civil action

A civil action is a noncriminal lawsuit that begins with a complaint and usually involves private parties. The plaintiff is the party filing the complaint , and the defendant is the party defending against the complaint’s allegations. By contrast, a criminal lawsuit begins with an indictment and involves the prosecution by the government against an entity or individual. Civil law governs civil actions, while criminal law governs criminal actions . Typical civil causes of action include breach of contract , battery , or defamation and violations of federal statutes and constitutional rights. To establish a prima facie civil case, a plaintiff must describe his or her damages or injury , explain how the defendant caused the harm, and ask the court for relief . The plaintiff may plead for relief in the form of monetary damages or by court order, such as an injunction or a declaration of legal rights (see remedies at equity versus law).

[Last reviewed in July of 2020 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

Wex

• THE LEGAL PROCESS
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• civil procedure