Civil law has two related but distinct meanings:
1. Civil Law as a Legal System
Civil law is a major legal system rooted in Roman law and codified in comprehensive legal codes, such as the French Code civil and the German Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB). It is the most widespread legal system globally, used in about 150 countries. This system emphasizes written statutes and codes as the primary sources of law, rather than judicial decisions or precedents, which are central in common law systems. Civil law systems are characterized by their logical, organized structure, adaptability, and focus on cooperation and predictability in legal relations
2. Civil Law as a Branch of Law
Civil law also refers to the branch of law that governs the rights and duties between private individuals or entities, as opposed to criminal law, which deals with offenses against the state. It covers legal areas such as contracts, property, family law, torts (civil wrongs), inheritance, and obligations. Civil law regulates disputes involving personal injury, contracts, property ownership, family relationships, and liabilities for damages. Unlike criminal law, civil law aims primarily to resolve disputes and provide remedies rather than to punish offenders
Key Features of Civil Law (Branch)
- Deals with non-criminal rights and duties between persons or entities
- Includes family law, contract law, property law, and tort law
- Focuses on repairing harm or enforcing agreements rather than punishment
- Applies to both natural persons (individuals) and legal persons (companies, organizations)
In summary, civil law can mean either the codified legal system derived from Roman law or the body of law regulating private rights and disputes between individuals and organizations. Both senses emphasize order, predictability, and the regulation of private relationships through established rules and codes
