# What is civil litigation?

[**Civil litigation**](https://ratliffesq.com/practice-areas/civil-litigation/) is the legal process used to resolve non-criminal disputes between two or more parties through the court system. It typically involves one party (the plaintiff) filing a lawsuit against another party (the defendant) to seek compensation or another form of legal remedy for a wrong that has been done.

**Common Examples of Civil Litigation:**

* Contract disputes (e.g., breach of contract)
    
* Property disputes
    
* Personal injury claims (e.g., car accidents, slip and fall)
    
* Landlord-tenant issues
    
* Employment disputes
    
* Intellectual property disputes (e.g., copyright or trademark infringement)
    

**Key Features:**

* **Burden of Proof**: Usually "preponderance of the evidence," which is a lower standard than in criminal cases.
    
* **Goal**: Usually to obtain monetary compensation or require specific performance (not to punish the defendant with jail time).
    
* **Phases**: Includes pleadings, discovery, pre-trial motions, trial, and possibly appeal.
    

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