What is the primary purpose of most civil lawsuits?

The primary purpose of most civil lawsuits is to compensate a person who has been harmed. In civil law, the focus is typically on resolving disputes between individuals or entities, where one party seeks restitution or damages due to the actions of another that resulted in loss or injury.

When a court finds in favor of the plaintiff, it often requires the defendant to pay a sum of money to the plaintiff as compensation for the harm suffered. This mechanism serves to address grievances, restore the aggrieved party to their previous position as much as possible, and provide financial compensation for any losses incurred.

This objective distinguishes civil lawsuits from criminal proceedings, which are more about maintaining public order, deterring criminal behavior, and punishing offenders for violations of law for the sake of society as a whole. Thus, while other options may relate to broader legal and social outcomes, the focus of most civil lawsuits is fundamentally on compensating the individual who has been wronged.