civil court

noun

1. a court of law in which civil cases are tried and determined. civil law ( def 1 ).
2. a secular court as opposed to an ecclesiastical or military court.

Word History and Origins

Origin of civil court¹

First recorded in 1550–1600

Example Sentences

He was awaiting his preliminary criminal hearing in that case in a civil court in Vicenza when the latest incident took place.

From The Daily Beast

The chances of that happening in a criminal court, or even a civil court, now appear increasingly remote.

From The Daily Beast

In that scenario, the victim would still have the recourse of suing Strauss-Kahn in civil court.

From The Daily Beast

In each canton is a justice of the peace, in each department a civil court, and in sixteen important cities a court of appeal.

From Project Gutenberg

A civil court also was assembled this month, by which some writs and some probates of wills were granted.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet this dissuasion or inducement may be so conducted as to be no defined crime of which any civil court would take cognizance.

From Project Gutenberg

It is divided into three sections: the Chambre des Requtes, or court of petitions, the civil court and the criminal court.

From Project Gutenberg

The trial is not conducted as in a civil court, but according to the following manner in the "field court."

From Project Gutenberg