What is the purpose of civil process?

The purpose of civil process is fundamentally to settle disputes and enforce rights between parties in a legal context. Civil process encompasses various legal procedures that are used to manage non-criminal cases, including the issuance of summons, complaints, and other legal documents that initiate and carry through the litigation process. This structured approach ensures that individuals and entities can resolve their grievances in a manner that is fair and orderly, adhering to the rule of law.

In civil cases, parties seek relief or compensation for wrongs that have occurred, often regarding contracts, property, family law, and torts. The civil process provides the necessary framework for adjudicating these disputes, allowing courts to interpret and enforce rights as laid out by law. Thus, the primary focus of civil process is not to impose criminal charges or conduct investigations, but rather to provide a method for parties to address their rights through legal means.