Which statement best describes civil law in relation to private disputes?

• A. Criminal law handles private disputes
• B. Civil law handles private disputes
• C. Civil law handles only government actions
• D. Criminal law handles only traffic offenses

Answer: (B)

Civil law focuses on private rights and disputes between individuals or organizations. When private parties have conflicts—such as contract disagreements, torts causing harm, or property issues—the court aims to resolve those private rights and provide remedies like monetary damages or injunctions. Criminal law, in contrast, deals with offenses against society or the state and carries penalties such as fines or imprisonment. So, describing civil law as handling private disputes best captures its role. The other statements either misstate the scope of civil law or overstate criminal law by suggesting it covers only traffic offenses.