Civil Law Definition And Overview

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Civil law or European Continental law or Romano-Germanic law is the principal system of law in the world. Civil law is the legal tradition that derives from Roman law. The primary feature of which is that laws are written into a collection, codified, and not (as in common law) interpreted by judges. Civil law seeks to resolve non-criminal disputes such as disagreements over the meaning of contracts, property ownership, divorce, child custody, and damages for personal and property damage.

The body of laws of a state or nation deals with the rights of private citizens. The law of ancient Rome as embodied in the Justinian code, especially that which applied to private citizens. A system of law has its origin in Roman law, as opposed to common law or canon law. Unlike criminal law, Civil law regulates relationships amongst persons and organizations. Civil law, in this sense, is usually referring to redress to civil law courts (as opposed to criminal courts) and is often used as a means to resolve disputes involving accidents (torts such as negligence), libel and other intentional torts, contract disputes, the probate of wills, and trusts, and any other private matters that can be resolved between private parties.

Conceptually, it is the group of legal ideas and systems ultimately derived from the Code of Justinian, but heavily overlaid by Germanic, ecclesiastical, feudal, and local practices, as well as doctrinal strains such as natural law, codification, and legislative positivism. The function of civil law is to provide a legal remedy to solve problems. Sometimes civil law is based on a state or federal statute; at other times civil law is based on a ruling by the court.

In the United States, civil law has two meanings. One meaning of civil law refers to a legal system prevalent in Europe that is based on written codes. Civil law in this sense is contrasted with the common-law system used in England and most of the United States, which relies on prior case law to resolve disputes rather than written codes. The second meaning of civil law refers to the body of laws governing disputes between individuals, as opposed to those governing offenses that are public and relate to the governmentthat is, civil law as opposed to Criminal Law.

It is sometimes used in contradistinction to criminal, to indicate the private rights and remedies of men, as members of the community, in contrast to those which are public and relate to the government; thus we speak of civil process and criminal process, civil jurisdiction and criminal jurisdiction.

Pack more knowledge of law in your brain to do your duty and maintain your rights, just remember to be a good citizen.

How Civil Law Is Different Form Criminal Law

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To understand the different kinds of laws are very important in any judicial system. How civil law is different from criminal law. The civil law is different form criminal law in term of provision and punishment.

Criminal law:-

Criminal law is a branch of law which concerns crimes which are committed against the public authority. It is distinct from civil law and its provision for punishment is also different which involves crimes which people commit against each other, not necessarily against the public as a whole. Murder, for example, is covered under criminal law, because although there is a specific victim, murder in general runs against the interests of the public. By contrast, if someone fails to honor a contract, this is a matter for civil law.

In criminal law, a guilty defendant is punished by either (1) incarceration in a jail or prison, (2) fine paid to the government, or, in exceptional cases, (3) execution of the defendant: the death penalty. Crimes are divided into two broad classes: felonies have a maximum possible sentence of more than one year

Incarceration, misdemeanors have a maximum possible sentence of less than one year incarceration.

Criminal law, also termed as Penal law, encompasses the rules and statutes written by Congress and state legislators dealing with any criminal activity that causes harm to the general public, with penalties. It also covers criminal procedure connected with charging, trying, sentencing and imprisoning defendants convicted of crimes. It regulates how suspects are investigated, charged and tried.

Criminal law is typically enforced by the government. The state, through a prosecutor, initiates the suit. Criminal law encompasses Substantive Criminal law; Criminal Procedure; and the special problems in administration and enforcement of criminal justice.
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Civil law

Civil law seeks to resolve non-criminal disputes such as disagreements over the meaning of contracts, property ownership, divorce, child custody, and damages for personal and property damage. A civil court is a place where people can solve their problems with people peacefully. The function of civil law is to provide a legal remedy to solve problems. Sometimes civil law is based on a state or federal statute; at other times civil law is based on a ruling by the court.

TYPES OF CIVIL CASES

Civil law covers a wide spectrum of topics. Some of these topics are:

consumer law
international law
agricultural law
employment law
animal law
entertainment law
business law
family law
sports law
tax law
Intentional torts such as libel, slander, defamation of character, battery and assault.
negligence

In contrast, a defendant in civil litigation is never incarcerated and never executed. In general, a losing defendant in civil litigation only reimburses the plaintiff for losses caused by the defendant’s behavior.

So-called punitive damages are never awarded in a civil case under contract law. In a civil case under tort law, there is a possibility of punitive damages, if the defendant’s conduct is egregious and had either (1) a malicious intent (i.e., desire to cause harm), (2) gross negligence (i.e., conscious indifference), or (3) a willful disregard for the rights of others. The use of punitive damages makes a public example of the defendant and supposedly deters future wrongful conduct by others. Punitive damages are particularly important in torts involving dignitary harms (e.g., invasion of privacy) and civil rights, where the actual monetary injury to plaintiff(s) may be small.

One can purchase insurance that will pay damages and attorney’s fees for tort claims. Such insurance coverage is a standard part of homeowner’s insurance policies, automobile insurance, and insurance for businesses. In contrast, it is not possible for a defendant to purchase insurance to pay for his/her criminal acts.

What is Civil Engineering all about

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First lets answer the most important question: Who is a civil engineer?
A civil engineer is someone who is responsible for planning and designing a project, and also construction and maintenance of the product/project. A professional in this field not only requires a high standard of engineering knowledge and qualification but also supervisory and administrative skills. The planning part a civil engineers work includes – site investigation, feasibility studies, giving solutions to complications and the actual designing of structures. Their work has to abide by the guidelines given by the local government authority and get plans approved by the relevant authority. They also have to work on preparing cost estimates and set construction schedules. The construction work involves dealing with clients, architects, government officials, contactors and the supervision of work according to standards. Besides all this, their work also involves continuous maintenance and repairing of the project.

Specializations:
The specializations in civil engineering include structural, water resources, environmental, construction, transportation, geo-technical engineering etc. Civil engineers either work in teams or in coordination with other engineers on most of the projects. They can work as a supervisor of a construction site or in a managerial position or in design and research. They can also take up teaching in government services or private concerns. They can even become independent consultants.

Eligibility criteria to become a civil engineer and course areas: The minimum requirement to become a civil engineer is a bachelors degree in engineering.
Career Options and Job Prospects of a civil engineer: Civil Engineers can look for a job in Government departments, private and public sector industry.

Remuneration/Salary: The earnings of a civil engineer depend on the industry he/she has been employed into. Civil engineers can work under departments such as Central or State government departments or private concerns. The starting salary of a bachelors degree Civil Engineer in India is Rs.4000 up to Rs 7500 approximately.

Institutes: IIT’s or Indian institute of Technology in New Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur are the top most engineering institutes of India. Besides that International Council for Management Studies and Hindustan College in Chennai, Jadavpur University and National Institute of Technology in Durgapur, Singhad Institute of Management and Maharashtra Institute of Technology in Pune, Dayanand Sagar Institutions and R.V. College of Engineering in Bangalore, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University and Institute of Piping & Building Services in Hyderabad, Indira Gandhi International Open University (IGNOU) and Jamia Milia Islamia in Delhi, IMS Institute and National Institute of Mumbai in Mumbai are some of the other prestigious Engineering institutions in India.

From the pyramids in Egypt to the international space station, civil engineers have always overcome the challenges to ensure that we have a better future. They have been responsible for advancing civilization and building a better quality of our life.

The coming years will be the most creative, demanding, and rewarding of times for civil engineers, and now is the best time to decide what the right career path is for you. Civil engineers are definitely in the forefront of technology as they cannot only develop or create regular and ordinary things but also have the power to create wonders.

Civil engineers are the leading users of high-tech products they apply the very latest concepts in computer-aided design (CAD) during design, construction, project scheduling, and cost control.

Civil engineering is mainly about community service, development, and improvement — the planning, design, construction, and operation of facilities which is essential to modern life. These things range from transit systems to offshore structures to space satellites. Civil engineers can be simply described as problem solvers. They meet the challenges of pollution, traffic congestion, drinking water and energy needs, urban redevelopment, and community planning, making living comfortable for others.

The future of this world will be closely tied to space, energy and the environment. A civil engineer performs a vital role in linking these themes and improving quality of life for the 21st century.

Skills of a civil engineer will be needed as the technological revolution expands, as the world’s population increases, and as environmental concerns mount. There is absolutely no limit to the personal satisfaction that one feels from helping to make the world a better place to live in and thats what a civil engineer can do.

Creating A Unique And Distinctive Civil Wedding Ceremony

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Civil ceremonies are an ideal way to combine a variety of traditional, cultural, and spiritual elements into a uniquely personal celebration of lifetime commitment. They allow loved ones to participate in creative and innovative ways, and give couples complete freedom to express the things that are most important to them. Meaningful, beautiful, and customizable, civil ceremonies are a wonderful choice for modern weddings.
Why Choose a Civil Ceremony?
Amidst the modern blending of cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs, traditional church weddings are becoming less popular. As an alternative, couples are increasingly turning to civil ceremonies. Imaginative and meaningful, these ceremonies can be uniquely personalized, combining any elements that are important to the couple’s cultural or spiritual values. A civil ceremony provides an opportunity to include family and friends, and to acknowledge the love and support they’ve given. Civil ceremonies are also a good option for couples with children who would like to emphasize the fact that a whole new family is now created.

Perhaps you and your partner are of different faiths and wish to integrate their traditions into the ceremony or leave out religious aspects altogether. Whatever your reason for choosing a civil wedding ceremony, the possibilities for customization are as infinite as the commitment it represents.
Elements of a Civil Marriage Ceremony
There are no rules governing how elaborate your marriage ceremony must be, or where it must take place; your imagination is the only limit. At its most basic, a civil ceremony will include a legal authorization by your marriage celebrant and a simple exchange of vows. You may wish to include a special greeting to welcome your guests, a reading of prose, poetry or a meaningful quote, or a personal anecdote: how the two of you met, for example, or what you love about each other. To add a further touch of personality, you may choose to write your own vows. Whether the tone is lighthearted and humorous, or touching and romantic, is entirely your choice. The beauty of civil marriage ceremonies is that they can range from small and intimate gatherings to more lavish affairs; they allow for the utmost flexibility and can be adapted to your liking. Many couples make their ceremonies unique by incorporating both traditional and nontraditional elements. The bride can be customarily given away, for example but instead of her father performing the duty as in a conventional wedding, the responsibility could be given to another relative or even a friend, anyone the bride chooses. In a civil ceremony, time-honored traditions can be tempered with a surprise touch of the unconventional.

Handfasting An Ancient Custom for a Modern Ceremony
Today’s couples are increasingly turning to ancient wedding rites for inclusion in their ceremonies, sometimes keeping entirely with tradition, sometimes altering them according to personal preference. A classic illustration of this is the addition of a handfasting ritual. This Celtic marriage custom, dating back thousands of years, involves the hands of the bride and groom being bound together with a red ribbon. It symbolizes the strength of their union and their passion for each other.

Represent Your Union with Unity Candles
Another popular practice is the lighting of unity candles. Its exclusivity of religious significance makes it suitable for any couple. Two candles, representing the couple as individuals, are lit. They are then used to light a third, central candle that represents the unification of the couple and their commitment to both the marriage and each other. The many potential variations ensure a perfect fit into your specific ceremony. For instance, the individual candles may be lit prior to the ceremony, or during the ceremony by the bride and groom, or by the couple’s parents. There may be more candles added to represent your children. Even the color of the candles can stand for something: green for fertility, red for vitality, white for purity. The tradition of a unity candle offers a meaningful way to involve family members in your ceremony, and can be personalised further according to your liking.

Add a Touch of Romance with a Rose Ceremony
A rose ceremony is also a beautiful and expressive ritual. Roses have long been considered a romantic means of conveying love to your partner, and the exchange of such a symbol is a simple act that holds profound significance. The roses are typically exchanged after the couple is officially pronounced husband and wife; however, this element may be incorporated into any part of the ceremony. It can be accompanied by the reading of a quote, poem, or scripture, by a special musical selection, or left to speak for itself. You may want to give roses to your parents as well, or have your children present a rose to their new stepparent; such a ceremony is an ideal method for the inclusion of loved ones, especially if your children are very young.

The endless, inspiring freedom of civil ceremonies allows you to create the wedding of your dreams. You can incorporate your family and friends in any part. Honor the beloved memory of someone special. Blend ancient rites with modern customs. Start a new family wedding tradition as a gift to the brides and grooms of future generations. Your civil ceremony will be an artful blending of carefully chosen elements that convey the essence of your personalities, the strength of your commitment to one another, and the unbounded love you share. After all, isn’t that the true purpose of a wedding?

Facing A Civil Service Redundancy

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If you are facing a civil service redundancy, as so many people are at the moment, what are your options? Should you accept the first redundancy payment offered to you, or do you have other options? If you are offered a compromise agreement, should you sign it or if you do have you limited your options? We can help you with all of these questions. These are all important considerations and how you deal with them could affect your compensation package and also your future employment potential.

Civil Service Redundancy.

It seems likely that we are going to see a rise in Civil Service Redundancy. What scale this will be on is not yet known, but it is fair to assume that it is going to be on a relatively large scale.

If this is likely to happen to you, you must ensure that you receive the best possible terms to protect your future. If a large amount of redundancies are made there will be a lot of people looking for employment making it harder for you to find a new job. This is why it is vital you negotiate hard for your redundancy compensation. But how can you do this? What are your rights and what are your options?

Reasons for Redundancy? There are many reasons for a civil service redundancy, the first one below is the one that is most likely to apply at the moment in relation to sections of civil service that are likely to be outsourced:

* the business/department is closing down;

*reorganising/restructuring or moving new technology or a new working practice means your job is no longer required;

* the job you were employed to do has been absorbed or no longer exists.

The Redundancy Process. Your employer should select employees fairly for redundancy, and you should be forewarned or consulted about the possible redundancy. Your employer should also take reasonable steps to see if affected employees can be transferred to another part of the civil service, and look at whether there are any alterntatives avaliable apart from redundancy.

An employee is entitled to receive statutory redundancy pay and be given the correct amount of notice, but if an employer uses redundancy as an excuse to hide the real reason for ending an employee’s contract, or if they do not carry out the redundancy selection procedure properly, their action may amount to unfair dismissal.

Compromise Agreements. A compromise agreement is generally a good idea for an employee as it means you must obtain independent legal advice to check that the terms of your redundancy are reasonable. What is more, your employer will usually cover the costs of this legal advice.

If you are facing a civil service redundancy, ensure that you investigate all of your options to protect your future employment prospects. Take expert legal advice as soon as possible. Most solicitors will offer you a free initial discussion and provide you with a range of options. You can then decide what, if any, action to take.