Which of the following best describes civil law?

The distinction of civil law primarily lies in its focus on resolving disputes between private parties rather than punishing criminal acts. Civil law encompasses a variety of legal areas, including contract issues, property disputes, family law, and torts, where one person or entity seeks compensation or remediation from another. This legal branch operates under the principle of providing relief to the aggrieved party, encouraging fairness and justice in personal matters.

In contrast, options that refer to punishment for criminal acts or frameworks for governance and administrative procedures address entirely different aspects of the law. Criminal law deals with offenses against the state and societal order, while regulatory issues and administrative procedures pertain more to the governance of operations and functions within government agencies, distinguishing them from the personal and private focus inherent in civil law.