What is the remedy for a violation of civil law?

Asked by: Dianna O'Connell  |  Last update: February 3, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (27 votes)

Remedies for civil law violations aim to restore the injured party, typically through monetary damages (compensatory/punitive), injunctive relief (court orders to act or stop acting), or specific performance (forcing contractual fulfillment). A court might also issue a declaratory judgment, clarifying rights without ordering action, or order restitution to return property or funds, all designed to make the victim whole after a wrongful act.

What is the punishment for violating civil laws?

A civil penalty is a non-criminal remedy for a party's violations of laws or regulations. Civil penalties usually only include civil fines or other financial payments as a remedy for damages. An action seeking a civil penalty can be brought by the government, or by a private party in the shoes of the government.

What are the remedies for civil law?

A legal remedy, also referred to as judicial relief or a judicial remedy, is the means with which a court of law, usually in the exercise of civil law jurisdiction, enforces a right, imposes a penalty, or makes another court order to impose its will in order to compensate for the harm of a wrongful act inflicted upon ...

What is the typical remedy in a civil law case?

The most common remedy in civil cases is money damages. However, there are two other types of remedies available to plaintiffs and civil courts; injunctions and specific performance orders.

What is a violation of civil law?

Civil law covers disputes and cases where an individual, public body, or organization has violated the rights of another person. Examples include personal injury claims, contractual breaches, employment tribunals, or negligence.

How Does A Breach Of Contract Affect Civil Law Cases? - Courtroom Chronicles

29 related questions found

What is a violation of the civil law?

A violation is an act that goes against a law, regulation, or agreement. Violations may be intentional or unintentional and can vary in severity from minor infractions to serious offenses. In legal contexts, violations may result in penalties or sanctions, such as fines, imprisonment, or revocation of licenses.

Is a civil violation a crime?

Civil traffic violations are not seen as crimes, but rather civil infractions.

What two remedies are available in a civil lawsuit?

Generally, speaking there are three types of remedies that can be awarded by a court in a civil litigation case including: (1) damage remedies, (2) restitution remedies, and (3) equitable remedies such as declaratory judgments and injunctions.

What are the five remedies?

Five essential legal remedies for contract breaches

  • Compensatory damages. ...
  • Liquidated damages. ...
  • Specific performance. ...
  • Punitive damages. ...
  • Nominal damages.

What are three legal remedies?

There are three main types of legal remedies: damages, equitable remedies, and restitution. Choosing the right legal remedy depends on various factors, including the nature of the breach and the desired outcome. Effective pursuit of legal remedies requires careful planning and documentation.

What are examples of remedies used to resolve civil cases?

When an individual's losses can be quantified, the court can award damages to compensate for the loss. These damages are known as actual or compensatory damages. Typical examples of the types of losses that are covered include things like lost wages or income, medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses.

What is the most common type of civil case?

The most common types of civil cases generally fall under Personal Injury (like car accidents, slip-and-falls), Contract Disputes, and Property Disputes, with Landlord-Tenant issues also very frequent, according to this study and law firm resources. National data suggests personal injury makes up a significant portion (around 40%) of private civil cases, but all these areas represent common reasons individuals seek legal resolution, notes this Insurance Journal article and Heymann & Fletcher.

What are the two types of remedies?

There are two general categories of remedies—legal and equitable. In the category of legal remedies are damagesMoney paid by one party to another to satisfy a liability..

What happens if someone violates your civil rights?

CRD offers free dispute resolution services to encourage parties to resolve the complaint in appropriate cases. When parties can't resolve a complaint, CRD continues an investigation to determine if there is reasonable cause to believe that a civil rights law has been violated.

What are the 4 types of punishment?

The four main types of punishment in criminal justice are retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, and rehabilitation, each aiming to achieve different goals like punishing offenders, preventing future crime (specifically or generally), or reforming individuals so they can return to society. Retribution focuses on deserved suffering, deterrence uses fear to stop crime, incapacitation physically prevents re-offending, and rehabilitation aims to change behavior through treatment or education. 

Would you go to jail for a civil case?

A business or agency can also file a case in civil court or be sued in civil court. If someone loses a case in civil court, that person may be ordered to pay money to the other side or return property, but that person does not go to jail just for losing the case.

What are civil remedies?

A civil remedy refers to the remedy that a party has to pay to the victim of a wrong he commits. A civil remedy is generally separate form a criminal remedy, although in certain situations the civil and criminal remedy may be related. Civil remedies require the cooperation of the victim and are voluntary.

What are the remedies for breach of law?

The main remedies for breach of contract include compensatory damages, liquidated damages, restitution, rescission, specific performance, and reformation.

What are the three ways to remedy the breach?

What remedies are available?

  1. Compensatory damages in contract law. An award of compensatory damages is the most common legal remedy for breach of contract. ...
  2. Specific performance as a contract remedy, where you can ask the court to require the breaching party to complete their end of the agreement. ...
  3. Rescission of contract.

How serious is a civil case?

Yes, a civil case can be very serious, especially if large sums of money, your business, or professional reputation are at stake, even though they don't lead to jail time like criminal cases; they can profoundly impact your finances, future, and personal life through significant financial judgments, injunctions (court orders to act or stop acting), or affecting licenses. The seriousness often stems from high financial stakes, potential career impact, and the potential overlap into criminal matters, requiring careful legal attention.
 

What damages can be awarded in a civil lawsuit?

A review of California civil damages, especially as they pertain to civil-rights cases

  • Damages for wrongful death. ...
  • Economic damages. ...
  • Non-economic damages. ...
  • Punitive damages. ...
  • Pain and suffering damages. ...
  • Damages in federal court. ...
  • Nominal damages. ...
  • Bane Act damages.

What items can be legally seized?

What Items Might Be Seized by Law Enforcement?

  • Contraband (illegal drugs, counterfeit money, illegal firearms)
  • Evidence of Crimes (stolen property, documents, weapons, passports)
  • Proceeds of Crimes (motor vehicles, real estate, cash money)
  • Assets Used in Criminal Activities (vehicles, computers, guns, cell phones)

Does a civil violation go on your record?

Civil citations typically carry fines ranging from $50 to several hundred dollars and add points to your driving record. Accumulating too many points can lead to license suspension.

What is an example of a civil violation?

Civil violations involve infringements on rights or laws, ranging from minor infractions like speeding tickets or parking illegally, to serious issues like discrimination (in housing, employment, etc.), police misconduct (excessive force, false arrest, unlawful searches), harassment, violations of free speech/assembly, and breaches of contracts, all leading to penalties like fines, lawsuits, or administrative action rather than criminal jail time for the act itself.
 

How much is a civil penalty?

How much is a Civil Penalty? The amount depends on when the breach occurred. The maximum Civil Penalty payable is £45,000 per illegal worker for a first breach of the scheme and up to £60,000 per worker for a repeat breach.