What Is a Civil Lawsuit?

A civil lawsuit is the legal route a person (the claimant) takes to assert a right before the court against another person (the defendant) — whether that right is financial, such as a debt or compensation claim, or relates to property, such as a claim of ownership or possession.

A civil case differs from a criminal case in that the former aims to remedy harm or enforce a right between two parties (individuals or companies), while the latter aims to impose a penalty for conduct the law criminalizes — and a criminal case is brought by the Public Prosecution, not by private individuals.

A civil case typically moves through several stages: filing the statement of claim, serving the other party, an exchange of memoranda and documents between the parties, and finally a judgment from the court. Judgments may be appealed to a higher court where grounds for appeal exist.

Before filing any civil claim, it is important to assess your legal position and the documentation available to you, since the outcome depends heavily on the strength of the evidence presented. To discuss your specific situation, you can book a consultation with our team.