What is a defining feature of civil law?

A defining feature of civil law is that it focuses on adjudicating private disputes between individuals or entities. Unlike criminal law, which addresses offenses against the state and involves prosecution by the government, civil law primarily concerns relationships and conflicts between private parties, such as contracts, property, and family law issues.

In civil law cases, the objective is often to resolve disputes and provide remedies, which can include compensation for damages, injunctions, or specific performance. This aspect of civil law aims to uphold the rights of individuals and ensure that legal obligations between parties are honored. Thus, option B accurately captures the essence of civil law, highlighting its role in settling private disputes rather than dealing with criminal offenses or public safety concerns, which are the realms of criminal law.