It allows a person or entity (the plaintiff) to sue another person or entity (the defendant) over alleged harm or wrongdoing.  

If the court rules for the plaintiff, they are typically awarded damages or another form of compensation from the defendant.  

Case Example: Gwyneth Paltrow (the defendant) was involved in a civil lawsuit after a doctor (the plaintiff) accused her of crashing into him during a 2016 ski trip, causing him harm. The jury ultimately ruled in Paltrow’s favor.  

Learn more about civil justice here. 

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