Differences between civil and criminal legal systems
Civil Cases Criminal Cases
Parties Private parties
Case title Plaintiff(s) v. Defendant(s)
Case initiation File a plaint (response: written
statement) with the relevant court
Standard of proof Balance of Probabilities
Burden of proof (General Plaintiff/ Claimant (unless counter
rule + Exception) claim introduced by Defendant)
Decision Liable /non-liable, or declaratory
judgment
Repercussions Damages (compensatory and/or
punitive), injunctions, declaratory
judgment
Courts st rd
Civil Court (1 -3 class)  Senior
Civil Court  Add Dist Court 
District Court
Main substantive statutes Contract Act, Transfer of Property
Act, Muslim Family Law Ordinance,
Guardianship and Wards Act.
Companies Act…
Main procedural statutes Code of Civil Procedure (CPC),
Limitation Act
State
Prosecution v. Defendant(s)
File an FIR or NCOR with the police
Beyond reasonable doubt
Prosecution (unless counter claim
introduced by Defendant)
Guilty/not guilty
Qisas, Diyat, Arsh, Daman, Tazir,
death, imprisonment for life,
Imprisonment (rigorous, simple),
forfeiture of property, fine.
st rd
Magistrate (1 -3 class)  Add
Sessions Court  Session Court
Pakistan Penal Code, Anti Terrorism
Act, National Accountability
Ordinance, Prevention of Electronic
Crimes Act…
Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)