891. Class

in legal terms, all those persons in the same category, level of rights, or who have suffered from the same incident

892. Claim

1) To make a demand for money, for property, or for enforcement of a right provided by law. 2) the making of a demand (asserting a claim) for money due, for property, from damages or for enforcement of a right.

893. Civil Rights

Those rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, the 13th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution, including the right to due process, equal treatment under the law of all people regarding enjoyment of life, liberty, property, and protection.

894. Civil Procedure

The complex and often confusing body of rules and regulations set out in both state and federal laws which establish the format under which civil lawsuits are filed, pursued and tried. Civil procedure refers only to form and procedure, and not to the substantive law which gives people the right to sue or defend a lawsuit.

895. Civil Penalties

Fines or surcharges imposed by a governmental agency to enforce regulations.

896. Civil Liberties

Rights or freedoms given to the people by the First Amendment of the Constitution, by Common Law, or legislation, allowing the individual to be free to speak, think, assemble, organize, worship, or petition without government (or even private) interference or restraints. These liberties are protective in nature, while civil rights form a broader concept and include positive elements such as the right to use facilities, the right to an equal education, or the right to participate in government.

897. Civil Liability

The potential responsibility for payment of damages or other court-mandated conditions in a lawsuit, as opposed to criminal liability, which means open to punishment in accordance to criminal law.

898. Civil Law

1) A body of laws and legal concepts which come down from old Roman laws established by Emperor Justinian, and which differ from English common law, which is the framework of most state legal systems. In the United States only Louisiana (relying on the French Napoleonic Code) has a legal structure based on civil law. 2) Generic term for non-criminal law.

899. Civil Code

In many states, the name for the collection of statutes and laws which deal with business and negligence lawsuits and practices.

900. Civil Calendar

The list of lawsuits that are approaching trial in any court. Attorneys and/or parties whose cases are coming to the top of the list receive notice of the "calling'' of the civil calendar.