What distinguishes civil law from criminal law?

Civil law is fundamentally characterized by its focus on resolving disputes between individuals or organizations, rather than addressing offenses against the state or society as a whole, which is the realm of criminal law. The primary aim of civil law is to provide a means for parties to seek compensation or remedy for harm or disputes, such as contract issues, property disputes, and family matters. This characteristic establishes civil law as a system focused on private rights and responsibilities, differing significantly from criminal law, which is primarily concerned with wrongs that are offenses against the state and typically involve harsher penalties, including imprisonment.

This distinction emphasizes the nature of the parties involved—civil law interactions are generally between private individuals or entities, while criminal law involves the government prosecuting individuals accused of committing crimes. Thus, recognizing civil law's role in addressing private disputes clarifies its unique nature within the broader legal framework.