Key Concepts of Civil Law

Question 1

Parties to a Civil Dispute (Before court proceedings)

Answer 1

• Aggrieved/wronged party = person whose rights have been infringed.
• Wrongdoer = person alleged to have infringed another person’s rights

Question 2

Parties to a Civil Dispute (During court proceedings)

Answer 2

Plaintiff: the person whose rights have been infringed and who sues another party in a court or tribunal

Defendant: the party who is alleged to have breached a civil law and is being sued

Question 3

Key Term: Breach

Answer 3

An act or omission that represents a failure to meet a legal obligation

Question 4

Key Term: Loss

Answer 4

A type of harm or damage suffered by a person. It can involve both economic and non-economic loss

Question 5

Key Term: Causation

Answer 5

The direct relationship between the defendant’s breach and the plaintiff’s loss