A civil case is a dispute between two or more parties in which the first party, called the plaintiff, accuses the second party, called the defendant, of violating some rule of civil law which has caused injury or damage to the plaintiff.  Either party may be an individual or a corporation.

Cases involving lawsuits between two or more parties may seek money damages, injunctions or equitable relief.

If the claim amount is $25,000 or less, the lawsuit is filed with the district court.  (If the claim is over $25,000, the lawsuit is filed with the circuit court.)

In civil cases, all rules of evidence apply.  Frequently, parties retain a lawyer to represent them in general civil lawsuits.  A lawyer is not required, however.

Typically, a case may be filed either where the defendant resides, has a place of business, conducts business, or has a registered office. Sometimes the case may also be filed where the action arose.