Civil Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Civil, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Civil?

Derived from a Latin word “civilis” meaning Citizen. The term civil is used many context. 1. It is used to refer to the rights of an individual granted by the constitution of the country. They are the civil rights of an individual like voting rights, speech, freedom etc. 2. It refers to cases and trials in the court which are not of criminal in nature. A civil trial are cases where mattters like domestic violence, businesses, defamanation and such cases are involved. 3. It also refers to a category of habitation who have are under guided law and order and there is order and peace.

History and Meaning of Civil

Civil is derived from the Latin word “civilis” meaning citizen. The term civil has different meanings in different contexts. Its meaning can refer to the rights of an individual granted by the constitution of the country; civil trials which are not of criminal nature, such as cases involving domestic violence, defamation, businesses, and more; or as a category of habitation where there is law and order, peace, and organization.

Examples of Civil

  1. Civil Rights - Civil rights are the rights of an individual granted by the constitution of the country. It includes rights like voting rights, free speech, freedom from discrimination based on sex, race, and other factors.

  2. Civil Law - Civil law is a body of law that deals with disputes between individuals or organizations, where one party seeks compensation from another. Civil law includes a range of matters like contracts, property ownership, bankruptcy, family law, and more.

  3. Civil Society - Civil society refers to the groups, associations, and organizations in a society that operate independently of the government or business entities. Examples include faith-based groups, charities, local neighborhood associations, and more.

Legal Terms Similar to Civil

  1. Criminal - Criminal refers to cases and trials in court that involve crimes against the state or society that are punishable by law.

  2. Constitutional Law - Constitutional law refers to the body of law that deals with the interpretation and application of a country's constitution.

  3. Administrative Law - Administrative law refers to the body of law that governs the activities and operations of administrative agencies of the government.