Definition
Criminal law deals with acts considered harmful to society as a whole, prosecuted by the state and punishable by fines or imprisonment. Civil law concerns disputes between individuals or organisations, typically resolved through compensation.
Why it matters (in Poovi’s context)
Understanding the fundamental difference between these two branches of law, and being able to identify examples of each, is a requirement for the Life in the UK test.
Key properties or components
- Prosecution (Criminal)
- Dispute resolution (Civil)
- State vs. Individual parties
- Punishment vs. Compensation
Contradictions or debates
None.