Civil Law
1) A body of laws and legal concepts which come
down from old Roman laws established by Emperor Justinian, and which differ from
English common law, which is the framework of most state legal systems. In the
United States only Louisiana (relying on the French Napoleonic Code) has a legal
structure based on civil law. 2) Generic term for non-criminal law.
Civil Liability
The potential responsibility for payment of damages or other court-mandated
conditions in a lawsuit, as opposed to criminal liability, which means open to
punishment in accordance to criminal law.
Civil Liberties
Rights or freedoms given to the people by the First Amendment of the
Constitution, by Common Law, or legislation, allowing the individual to be free
to speak, think, assemble, organize, worship, or petition without government (or
even private) interference or restraints. These liberties are protective in
nature, while civil rights form a broader concept and include positive elements
such as the right to use facilities, the right to an equal education, or the
right to participate in government.
Civil Penalties
Fines or surcharges imposed by a governmental agency to enforce regulations.
Civil Procedure
The complex and often confusing body of rules and regulations set out in both
state and federal laws which establish the format under which civil lawsuits are
filed, pursued and tried. Civil procedure refers only to form and procedure, and
not to the substantive law which gives people the right to sue or defend a
lawsuit.
Civil Rights
Those rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, the 13th and 14th Amendments to
the Constitution, including the right to due process, equal treatment under the
law of all people regarding enjoyment of life, liberty, property, and
protection.
Claim
1) To make a demand for money, for property, or for enforcement of a right
provided by law. 2) the making of a demand (asserting a claim) for money due,
for property, from damages or for enforcement of a right.
Class
in legal terms, all those persons in the same category, level of rights, or who
have suffered from the same incident
Class Action
A lawsuit filed by one or more people on behalf of themselves and a larger group
of people "who are similarly situated."
Clean Hands Doctrine
A rule of law that a person coming to court with a lawsuit or petition for a
court order must be free from unfair conduct (have "clean hands" or not have
done anything wrong) in regard to the subject matter of his/her claim.