civil law

American  

noun

1. the body of laws of a state or nation regulating ordinary private matters, as distinct from laws regulating criminal, political, or military matters.

2. Roman History. the body of law proper to the city or state of Rome, as distinct from that common to all nations.

3. systems of law influenced significantly and in various ways by Roman law, especially as contained in the Corpus Juris Civilis, as distinct from the common law and canon or ecclesiastical law.

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civil law British  

noun

1. the law of a state relating to private and civilian affairs

2. the body of law in force in ancient Rome, esp the law applicable to private citizens

3. any system of law based on the Roman system as distinguished from the common law and canon law

4. the law of a state as distinguished from international law

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Other Word Forms

• civil-law
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of civil law

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425

Example Sentences

Huq argues that such a promise is not only legally untenable but a “terrible mistake” as a matter of ordinary civil law.

From Slate • May 28, 2026

Justice Horace Gray didn’t say that “jurisdiction” means being subject to ordinary criminal or civil law, as opponents of the president’s order maintain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

He was called to the bar in 1979, practising mainly in civil law cases, and became a QC in 1997.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

The authority of immigration agents to provide security or conduct civil law enforcement activities is legally uncertain.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2025

Some aspects of Islamic law are observed in Iran's legal system, but today the country mostly operates under civil law, ratified by the parliament.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi