What Does Civil Litigation Mean?

Civil litigation in the UK refers to the legal process of resolving disputes between individuals or businesses through the court system. It encompasses a wide range of legal matters, including contractual disputes, personal injury claims, property disputes, employment issues, defamation, construction disputes, intellectual property disputes, and more.

In civil litigation, the party initiating the legal action is known as the Claimant, while the opposing party is referred to as the Defendant. The objective of civil litigation is to seek a legal remedy or compensation for alleged harm or wrongdoing.

The process typically begins with the claimant filing a claim with the appropriate court, outlining the facts of the case and the relief sought. The defendant then has an opportunity to respond to the claim and present their defence. Both parties may exchange evidence, engage in pre-trial negotiations, and participate in court-mandated alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation or arbitration.

If the case does not settle through negotiation or alternative dispute resolution, it proceeds to trial, where a judge or jury evaluates the evidence presented by both sides and makes a decision on the matter. The judge or jury's decision is legally binding and enforceable.

The most recent high profile cases include

Rebekah Vardy v Coleen Rooney which was a libel case. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jul/29/rebekah-vardy-loses-libel-case-against-coleen-rooney-wagatha-christie