A civil action is any legal action that is not a criminal action. Civil actions are between private individuals, unlike criminal actions which are between the crown and the accused. Examples of civil actions include contractual disputes, personal injury cases, industrial accidents, defamation cases and negligence claims.

When the judgment in the case has been delivered, the judge must deal the cost of the case. This may include the fees of any lawyers, court fees paid by the parties fees of expert witnesses, allowances that may be allowed to litigants who have acts in person (without lawyers), earnings lost and travelling and other expenses incurred by the parties and their witnesses.

Lawyers' Costs and Fees: Fees and Fixed Costs in Civil Actions lists the costs and fees attributable to civil actions within courts and tribunals.

The fully revised and updated 25th edition covers:
- The Civil Proceedings Fees (Amendment) Order 2016 effective from the 6 March, 2017