Civil litigation is the legal process for resolving non-criminal disputes between two or more parties (individuals, businesses, or organizations) in a court of law, aiming to secure remedies like financial compensation or to enforce rights, rather than to punish for crimes. It involves filing a lawsuit, going through stages like discovery and trial, and covers areas such as contract breaches, personal injury, property disputes, and employment issues. 

Key Characteristics

• Parties: A plaintiff (who sues) and a defendant (who is sued).
• Goal: To provide a remedy (e.g., money) or resolve a disagreement, not to impose criminal penalties.
• Scope: Wide-ranging, including car accidents, landlord-tenant issues, divorce, medical malpractice, and business conflicts.
• Process: Follows distinct steps: pleadings (complaint/answer), discovery (information exchange), trial, and potential appeals, all governed by specific rules.
• Burden of Proof: Generally lower than in criminal cases, requiring a "preponderance of evidence" (more convincing evidence) rather than "beyond a reasonable doubt". 

Examples of Civil Cases

• Medical Malpractice (e.g., medical errors) 
• Personal Injury (e.g., slip-and-fall, auto accidents)
• Contract Disputes (e.g., breach of contract, non-payment)
• Property Disputes (e.g., boundary lines, landlord-tenant)
• Employment Disputes (e.g., wrongful termination, discrimination)