Differences Between Criminal and Civil Law

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Criminal laws create criminal offences and punish those who commit them. These laws attract the attention of the Criminal Justice Service (CJS). This includes the police, CPS, the criminal courts, her Majesty's prison service, HM probation service and the national offender management service. The Crown prosecutes the defendant. The defendant may be found guilty providing the jury or magistrate have no reasonable doubt. The burden of proof on on the crown prosecution. The standard of proof is beyond no reasonable doubt.

Civil laws create rights that are enforced between private individuals. This means that the enforcement agencies such as the police don't get involved in these laws. Civil laws are to compensate those whose rights have been violated. The claimant can sue the defendant. The defendant may be found liable. The burden of proof is on the claimant. The standard of proof in on the balance of probabilities (more likely than not)