A civil case is a legal dispute between two or more parties that seek money damages or specific performance rather than criminal sanctions. A civil case can be brought to court by an individual, business, or government entity. The most common type of civil case is a LAWSUIT, which is a formal complaint filed in court by one party against another. A LAWSUIT typically involves two parties, the plaintiff (the person or entity filing the LAWSUIT) and the defendant (the person or entity being sued). The plaintiff must prove their case in order to receive a judgment from the court.