civil law

noun

1. : Roman law especially as set forth in the Code of Justinian

2. : the body of law developed from Roman law and used in Louisiana, in continental Europe, and in many other countries outside of the English-speaking world including especially those that were colonized by countries of continental Europe — compare common law

   Note: Although Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. whose law is based entirely on civil law, remnants of civil law remain in other states (as Texas and California) in which countries of continental Europe had a strong influence.

3. : the law established by a nation or state for its own jurisdiction

4. : the law that applies to private rights especially as opposed to the law that applies to criminal matters — compare criminal law