What does civil law generally pertain to?

Civil law primarily deals with legal actions taken to resolve private disputes between individuals, organizations, or entities. This area of law encompasses a wide range of cases, including contracts, property disputes, family law, and torts. Unlike criminal law, which involves offenses against the state and is focused on punishing wrongful conduct, civil law aims to provide remedies to individuals who have suffered harm or injury due to the actions of others.

For example, if one party breaches a contract, the aggrieved party can seek damages or specific performance through civil litigation. The intention of civil law is to address grievances in a way that resolves conflicts and upholds individuals' rights within society. This foundational principle of civil law supports the idea that when disputes arise, there exists a legal framework through which individuals can seek justice and restitution.