<P> Some systems , including the English and French , allow governmental persons to bring a criminal prosecution against another person , prosecutions are nearly always started by the state , in order to punish the accused . Civil actions , on the other hand , are started by private individuals , companies or organizations , for their own benefit . In addition , governments ( or their subdivisions or agencies ) may also be parties to civil actions . The cases are usually in different courts , and juriescases . However this is distinguished from civil penal actions . </P>
<P> Some systems , including the English and French , allow governmental persons to bring a criminal prosecution against another person , prosecutions are nearly always started by the state , in order to punish the accused . Civil actions , on the other hand , are started by private individuals , companies or organizations , for their own benefit . In addition , governments ( or their subdivisions or agencies ) may also be parties to civil actions . The cases are usually in different courts , and juriescases . However this is distinguished from civil penal actions . </P>
who starts the proceedings in a civil case
who starts the proceedings in a civil case
private individuals , companies or organizations
private individuals , companies or organizations