Civil and public law (summary)

There are many differences between civil and public law. The main distinction is that public law regulates relations between citizens and the state, or between state and another state, civil law deals with disputes among citizens within a country. The main categories of English civil law are: contracts, torts, trusts, probate and family law. The main categories of public law are crimes, constitutional law and international law.Criminal and civil procedures are also different. The standards of proof in criminal actions are higher than in civil actions. Criminal actions are usually started by individuals - this party is called the prosecution. Civil actions are usually started by individuals - this party is called the plaintiff. Punishments of civil and criminal actions are different. If defendant is liable in civil case, he should pay damages to plaintiff, and in criminal case the defendant can be sentenced by imprisonment.Nevertheless criminal and civil law is connected. The losers of civil case disobedience may constitute criminal conduct.