civil action

[ siv-uhl ak-shuhn ]

noun

, Law.

1. a noncriminal lawsuit regarding an alleged violation of someone’s rights:

   When he started his own business and solicited his former employer’s clients, the employer filed a civil action against him.

   Some states require litigants in civil actions to go through alternative dispute resolution first.

Example Sentences

He said Mr McGreanery’s killing had been “unjustified and unjustifiable” adding that the case “highlights the value and merit of such legacy civil actions in truth recovery and obtaining justice”.

From BBC

In a Republic of Ireland civil action as opposed to a criminal case, neither the complainant nor the two accused men are entitled to anonymity during the court proceedings.

From BBC

Mr Benn refused to put a timeline on repealing and replacing the legislation, which ended inquests and civil actions related to incidents during the conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles.

From BBC

The Legacy Act introduced a ban on inquests and civil actions related to incidents during the conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles.

From BBC

The attorneys for the accused voters said that without successful civil action, political operatives could make such allegations and defame legal voters without consequence.

From Seattle Times