zivilgerichtlichen

Zivilgerichtlich is a German adjective and adverb used to describe matters relating to civil courts or civil procedure. In German legal language, it designates issues, actions, or decisions that arise in civil litigation as opposed to criminal proceedings (strafrechtlich) or administrative matters. The term is commonly used to characterize the procedural framework of private-law disputes brought before civil courts, such as courts of first instance (Amtsgericht or Landgericht) and higher courts, and to distinguish civil remedies such as damages, injunctions, or declaratory judgments from criminal penalties or administrative sanctions.

In practice, zivilgerichtlich concerns the conduct and rules of civil procedure (Zivilprozessordnung, ZPO) and the substantive civil code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch, BGB) insofar as they govern civil disputes. The expression appears in court rulings, legal memoranda, and legislation to indicate that a matter is to be handled within the civil-judicial system rather than the criminal-justice system.

Examples include: zivilgerichtliche Klage (civil action), zivilgerichtliche Entscheidung (civil court decision), or zivilgerichtliche Durchsetzung von Ansprüchen (enforcement of civil claims). The term can be used in contrast to terms like strafprozessual (criminal-procedural) or verwaltungsrechtlich (administrative law).

Etymology: zivil- from civil, gericht- from court, -lich suffix meaning pertaining to. Related concepts include Zivilrecht (civil law) and Zivilprozessordnung (civil procedure).