What is the standard of proof required in civil law?

In civil law, the standard of proof that is most commonly applied is referred to as "on the balance of probabilities." This standard means that a party must demonstrate that their version of the facts is more likely true than not true. The threshold is considerably lower than that required in criminal cases, where the standard is "beyond a reasonable doubt."

This standard is utilized because civil cases typically involve disputes between private parties regarding rights and obligations, rather than proving guilt or innocence as in criminal cases. The aim is to ensure that legal determinations are made based on which side has a stronger argument supported by evidence, rather than achieving absolute certainty.

Although "preponderance of evidence" is often considered synonymous with "balance of probabilities," in a strict context, "preponderance of evidence" reflects the idea that there is more weight to one side's argument than the other. However, in practice, both terms express the same concept of demonstrating that something is more likely true than not.

In summary, the standard of proof "on the balance of probabilities" effectively captures the essence of what is required in civil law, making it the appropriate choice for this question.