Civil Law

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Differences between civil and criminal law:

Person bringing the case is the Plaintiff.

The other party if the defendant.

The standard of proof is the balance of probability, can be anyone, have to be pretty sure.

Consequences are compensation or redundancy.

Pre-trial meetings are not needed.

The action was instigated by someones rights being infringed.

Relationship between civil and criminal law:

The same behaviour can give rise to a civil dispute and a criminal case.

For example, a person who hits another person can be charged with assault, and if this matter goes before a court, theymay be found guilty and punished. The victim of the assault may also sue the offender for assault(trespass to the person). If the victim is successful, the offender may have to pay damages to thevictim to compensate the victim for any injury suffered as a result of the assault.

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