Which statement accurately describes civil cases?

• A. Civil cases involve offences against the state with beyond reasonable doubt
• B. Civil cases involve private disputes and use balance of probabilities
• C. Civil cases are decided by juries only
• D. Civil cases have no remedies

Answer: (B)

Civil cases deal with private disputes between individuals or organisations, not crimes against the state. In these cases the standard of proof is the balance of probabilities, meaning the claimant must show it is more likely than not that their version of events is true. That’s why the statement describing civil cases as decided on the balance of probabilities is correct. This contrasts with criminal cases, where the prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Civil trials can be heard by a judge, and in some systems may involve a jury, but they are not decided by juries exclusively. And civil proceedings do have remedies—such as damages, injunctions, or specific performance—so the idea that there are no remedies is not accurate.