ABSTRACT
The civil justice process illustrates courts’ dispute resolution function. Civil cases present disputes between individuals, between institutions (e.g., corporations or organizations), and between individuals and institutions, respectively, that arise because one party’s actions have injured the other party’s physical or financial health, property, or reputation. Civil justice compensates injured parties, thereby discouraging them from seeking retribution directly from the injurer. Retribution often produces more injuries instead of a resolution. Civil justice also encourages responsible behavior by penalizing individuals and institutions that behave irresponsibly.
