Legal Definitions - civiliter

Definition: Civiliter (pronounced s-vil-t-r) is a Latin word that means "civilly." It has two meanings:

1. By a civil proceeding, as opposed to a criminal one.
2. Civilly, as a citizen.

For example, civiliter mortuus means "civilly dead," which refers to a person who has lost their civil rights but is still alive.

Examples:

• A person who has been sued civilly for breach of contract is being sued civiliter.
• A citizen who behaves civilly towards others is acting civiliter.

The examples illustrate the two meanings of civiliter. In the first example, civiliter refers to a civil proceeding, which is a legal action that deals with non-criminal matters. In the second example, civiliter means acting civilly, which is a behavior that is polite and respectful towards others.