what is civil litigation

Civil litigation refers to the legal process involving a dispute between two or more parties that does not involve criminal actions. It encompasses any legal proceeding seeking monetary damages or specific performance, and does not include criminal charges or penalties. Civil litigation cases can involve individuals, businesses, or government entities, and cover a wide range of legal issues such as personal injury claims, employment disputes, corporate matters, and real estate litigation. The goal of civil litigation is to resolve disputes that the parties cannot resolve themselves, typically through negotiations or the court system. The process involves preparing a case for trial, presenting the case at trial, and handling appeals if a settlement cannot be reached. Civil litigation can be complex and may take several months or years to reach a resolution. The roles of a civil litigation lawyer are broad and diverse, and may involve handling all aspects of discovery, communicating with clients, and representing the case in front of a court. In federal civil cases, the process begins when a party files a complaint with the court, and may involve alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and arbitration to avoid the need for a trial. If a settlement is not reached, the court will schedule a trial, and either party is entitled to request a jury trial in many civil cases.