Dictionary

civil law

noun, often capitalized C&L

: laws that deal with the rights of people rather than with crimes

Full Definition of CIVIL LAW

1
:  Roman law especially as set forth in the Justinian code
2
:  the body of private law developed from Roman law and used in Louisiana and in many countries outside the English-speaking world
3
:  the law established by a nation or state for its own jurisdiction
4
:  the law of civil or private rights
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First Known Use of CIVIL LAW

14th century

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