Learning
Civil vs Criminal
The single distinction that removes most of the fear.
Criminal law is the state prosecuting someone for an offence. The possible outcomes include fines, community orders and prison. The standard of proof is 'beyond reasonable doubt'.
Civil law is a dispute between two parties — people, companies, councils. The outcome is money, or an order to do or stop doing something. The standard is 'on the balance of probabilities': more likely than not.
Almost every letter that frightens people — debt, tenancy, contracts, parking, utilities — is civil. Nobody is coming to arrest you over an unpaid sofa.
Key points
- Criminal = state vs person. Civil = person vs person.
- Civil outcomes are money and orders, not prison.
- A 'claim' is not a 'charge'.
- Words like 'court action' in a debt letter almost always mean civil court.
You’re safe. You’re capable. You’re legally unstoppable.