civil lawsuit
A court case brought by a private party, not the state, to settle a civil claim
A civil lawsuit is a court case in which one party brings an action against another to have the courts rule on a civil claim — typically concerning payment, damages, rescission of an agreement, or recognition of a right. Under Danish law, the term is used synonymously with 'civil case' and 'private law case'.
Unlike a criminal case, where the prosecution service brings charges on behalf of the state with a view to punishment, in a civil lawsuit it is the aggrieved or claiming party itself — known as the plaintiff — who brings the action against the defendant. The state does not act as prosecutor; the courts make their authority available to resolve the dispute.
Civil lawsuits are particularly relevant in a true crime context, because victims or surviving relatives can bring a civil claim for damages against a perpetrator independently of — or in parallel with — a criminal case.
The rules on bringing and handling civil cases in Denmark are laid down in the Danish Administration of Justice Act (retsplejeloven). Civil court cases are heard at first instance by the district court (retsplejeloven § 224). The case is initiated when the plaintiff files a writ of summons with the competent court.
