What does the term "civil trial" primarily refer to?

The term "civil trial" primarily refers to a trial concerning private disputes between individuals. In a civil trial, one party (the plaintiff) brings a lawsuit against another party (the defendant) to resolve a legal issue such as contracts, property, family law matters, or personal injury claims. The focus of these trials is on compensating the injured party or resolving the dispute rather than punishing a wrongdoer, which is the focus of criminal trials.

In contrast, trials involving criminal charges relate to offenses against the state or public, where the government prosecutes an individual for wrongdoing that could result in penalties like fines or imprisonment. A civil trial typically involves lawyers representing both sides, often presenting evidence and witnesses to support their claims. While juries can be involved in civil trials, it is not accurate to say they occur without lawyers, as legal representation is a standard component. Lastly, public law addresses issues that affect society as a whole and would not fall under the private disputes characteristic of civil trials.