A civil case is a legal dispute between individuals, organizations, or governments that does not involve criminal charges. Civil cases address matters like contract disputes, property disagreements, personal injury claims, family law matters, and lawsuits seeking monetary damages. Unlike criminal cases where the government prosecutes and potential penalties include imprisonment, civil cases are initiated by private parties (the plaintiff) seeking remedies from another party (the defendant)—typically money damages or court orders. The standard of proof in civil cases is 'balance of probabilities' (more likely than not) rather than the criminal standard of 'beyond reasonable doubt.' Most civil cases settle before trial.