In common law countries such as England, Wales, and the United States, the term refers to non-criminal law.
The rights and duties of individuals amongst themselves is the primary concern of civil law.
It is often suggested that civil proceedings are taken for the purpose of obtaining compensation for injury, and may thus be distinguished from criminal proceedings, whose purpose is to inflict punishment.
However, exemplary or punitive damages may be awarded in civil proceedings.
These rules govern how a lawsuit or case may be commenced, what kind of service of process (if any) is required, the types of pleadings or statements of case, motions or applications, and orders allowed in civil cases, the timing and manner of depositions and discovery or disclosure, the conduct of trials, the process for judgment, various available remedies, and how the courts and clerks must function.