Testing by DW

General civil law deals with disputes between people or organizations. This includes disputes about contracts, wills, property, and personal injury. An example of a civil dispute is when one person owes another person money. One good starting point to learn more is the section on civil law on the Courts of BC website from the Justice Education Society of BC.

General civil law also includes administrative law, which deals with a legal action between a person or organization and a government agency such as the Residential Tenancy Branch, or the Labour Relations Board of BC. Some administrative law cases ask for a review of a decision at a hearing in front of a special board called an administrative tribunal.

Something which can be owned. See "chattels" and "real property."

A court proceeding in which one party sues another for a specific remedy or relief, also called a "lawsuit" or a "case." An action for divorce, for example, is a court proceeding in which the claimant sues the respondent for the relief of a divorce order.

In law, the re-examination of a term of an order or agreement, usually to determine whether the term remains fair and appropriate in light of the circumstances prevailing at the time of the review. In family law, particularly the review of an order or agreement provided for the payment of spousal support. See "de novo," "family law agreements," "order" and "spousal support."

In law, (1) a judge's conclusions after hearing argument and considering the evidence presented at a trial or an application, (2) a judgment, or (3) the judge's reasons. A judge's written or oral decision will include the judge's conclusions about the relief or remedies claimed as well as their findings of fact and conclusions of law. A written decision is called the judge’s "reasons for judgment." See "common law," "conclusions of law" and "findings of fact."

In law, any proceeding before a judicial official to determine questions of law and questions of fact, including the hearing of an application and the hearing of a trial. See "decision."