Which of the following best defines civil law?

Civil law is defined as a body of law that regulates interactions between private individuals. It encompasses legal disputes that typically arise in the context of contracts, property, and family matters, among others. The foundational purpose of civil law is to resolve conflicts and provide remedies to individuals who have been wronged by others, often through compensation or specific performance rather than punitive measures. This domain of law is primarily concerned with the rights and obligations of individuals as opposed to criminal law, which deals with acts that are offenses against the state or public.

The other options misrepresent the scope of civil law. For instance, the definition involving government and punitive measures focuses more on criminal law, which seeks to punish offenders on behalf of society. Similarly, laws based on societal norms could encompass a range of legal frameworks, including customary laws that may not specifically align with civil law principles. Finally, military law relates specifically to military personnel and operations, which is an entirely separate field from civil law.