Civil Law: An introduction
Civil Law systems are also known as continental or Romano-Germanic legal systems. They are found on all continents and cover about 60% of the world. They are essentially based on concepts, categories, and rules emanating from the Roman law. They also carry with them some influence of canon law, which are at times largely supplemented or modified by local custom or culture. Although secularized over the centuries and placing more focus on individual freedom, the civil law tradition basically fosters cooperation between all human beings living in society.
Defining Civil Law
As can be surmised, the Civil Law happens to be the most important and magnificent branch of the law in every country governed by the rule of law. The civil law of a country or state can be broadly defined as that body of rules, appropriate judicial precedents, regulations, and procedures, which help the government or the legal system to settle the numerous non-criminal disputes that crop up between individuals and organizations, over a range of ordinary private matters and issues, away from the criminal, political, and military matters and issues.
Core Functions of Civil Law
To talk of the core functions of Civil Law, it can be said that it seeks to resolve disagreements and disputes through providing due and equitable compensations to the victims, instead of laying emphasis on rigorous punishment to the accused. The Civil Law Courts are the forum for settling such disputes with the help of learned and qualified attorneys and lawyers.
Civil Law in India
In India, Civil Law encompasses the laws that have been formed and followed at union and state levels, and the rulings by the various courts of law made from time to time in the country. The range and stretch of this civil law is rather vast and includes matters and issues related with the areas of Real Estate Law, Business or Commercial Law, Education Law, Consumer Law, Tax Law, Entertainment Law, Contract Law, Administrative Law, Sports Law, etc.
Hierarchy of Civil Courts in India
In India, there is a hierarchical system of delivering justice whereby different powers and authority have been granted to various courts of law:
- The apex court of law having an appellate jurisdiction for all civil matters within the country is the Supreme Court of India. Its judgments are considered as final, and they are also binding on all the Indian courts.
- Next in the hierarchy are the several High Courts of India that have been established on the country’s State-wise basis and even as common High Court for two or more Indian States.
- Then comes the District Courts & Civil Courts
- Besides, there are courts dedicated to specific branch of law and they deal with specific matters like Family Courts, Consumer Courts, etc.
Career Opportunities in Civil Law
Civil Law is one of the oldest fields in the study of Law and it provides a variety of career opportunities for law students. From private clients to government officials, law professionals deal with all of them within the dispute resolving mechanism. And, with the rise in legal awareness in the society, there is a great increase in career opportunities in the relevant area.