Civil Lawyers in Kenya

Published by Raymond Nduga

Jul 22, 2024

What is Civil Law?

Civil law generally deals with disputes between persons or organisations. Civil lawsuits typically involve a complaint filed by one person (the “plaintiff”) against another party (the “defendant”) that they believe has injured them or caused property damage. So, civil lawyers in Kenya can assist you with all these.

Usually, the plaintiff seeks a legal remedy such as damages (monetary payment) or a court order requiring the defendant to take specific actions (called an injunction).

Civil law is distinguished from criminal law. For one, civil law disputes are between private parties. In contrast, criminal laws concern crimes and any behaviour against societal rules for safety and well-being.

As such, civil court claims typically involve making the plaintiff “whole” after they have experienced a loss; criminal trials generally impose some punishment on the defendant, such as jail time (though civil lawsuits can sometimes involve some aspects of punishment.

Civil lawsuits can involve a wide range of conflicts and disputes, including:

  • Contract disputes;
  • Personal injury and civil tort claims;
  • Disputes over property, especially those involving property damage;
  • Business and intellectual property claims; and
  • Various other types of disputes.

While civil courts may handle many claims, many civil law claims deal with personal injury and torts.

Do You Need a Civil Lawyer In Kenya?

Civil law claims and lawsuits can be complex. In any civil lawsuit, many procedural nuances must be followed to avoid being held in contempt of court or compromising the lawsuit’s success. In addition to the procedural requirements, the substance of the law itself can also be complex.

As such, it may be necessary to work with a civil lawyer who can help with aspects of the case, such as filing a motion. Some common procedural and technical aspects that civil lawyers handle may include:

  • Filing various motions, some of which may be time-sensitive, such as with a pre-trial motion;
  • Satisfying the burden of proof in a civil claim, which is “preponderance of the evidence” (as opposed to the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard of proof, which is a higher standard used in criminal law);
  • Raising objections during trial;
  • Formulating defences to civil liability;
  • Entering in evidence and examining witnesses; and
  • Arguing for the proper civil judgment remedy.

Civil lawyers are qualified and trained to do a job that can be difficult at times. Some civil cases can involve multiple parties and numerous legal concepts and theories, all in one case.

Some civil procedural issues can be highly complex, such as (cases where the period for collecting on a judgment has expired) and transferred intent (cases where the defendant intended to harm one person but ended up hurting another person accidentally).

Self-representation in a civil lawsuit may be possible, but it can be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Thus, it’s essential to work with a legal professional who can help you navigate the civil court system and help you obtain the desired outcome and legal remedy.

What are Some Examples of Civil Law Issues?

As mentioned, civil law cases can involve various legal issues and disputes. These typically involve injury claims, though they can also involve other conflicts. Some common examples of civil law issues include:

  • Civil assault claims, along with civil assault defences;
  • Civil battery lawsuits and their corresponding civil battery defences;
  • Cases involving property damage;
  • Various types of cases involving parental responsibility, such as child neglect cases;

Many civil claims, such as assault and battery and sexual assault cases, may also have their counterparts in criminal laws. Thus, in a case involving an assault or battery, it is sometimes possible to bring both a criminal trial and a civil lawsuit against the same defendant. If a person is first found guilty in criminal court, it may become more accessible to sue them for damages in a civil court of law.

Lastly, negligence is the legal theory underlying many civil tort claims. Most cases involving unintentional injuries and accidents (including car accidents) generally fall under negligence laws.

Remedies in a civil case usually fall into two main categories: monetary damages and equitable remedies. The court may issue economic damages to help the plaintiff recover any financial losses caused by their injury, including lost wages, medical costs, and other expenses.

Equitable remedies, such as injunctions, involve court orders requiring the defendant to take action or to stop a specific action (such as an injunction requiring the defendant to keep a certain distance from a victim).

Should I hire a civil lawyer in Kenya to help with my lawsuit?

Civil claims can involve many disputes, some of which can be procedurally and substantively complicated. If you need help with any civil law dispute, you may wish to hire a personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer can conduct legal research under the laws of Kenya and provide legal representation during court hearings.

Remote Civil Lawyers in Kenya

Our lawyers work remotely, which not only helps to reduce costs but also provides us with the flexibility to engage with businesses from anywhere in the world. Rayness Analytica has years of experience in remote engagements, supporting onboarding and managing thousands of remote relationships.

For Inquiries:

Visit our Contact Us page or email us directly at rna@raynessanalytica.com.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Civil Lawyers in Kenya

What is civil law and how does it differ from criminal law?

Civil law generally deals with disputes between private persons or organizations, where the aim is to make the plaintiff whole after a loss, such as through damages or court orders. It differs from criminal law, which involves crimes against societal rules and typically imposes punishments like jail time on the defendant.

In what types of cases can civil lawyers assist me in Kenya?

Civil lawyers in Kenya can assist in a wide range of cases including contract disputes, personal injury and tort claims, property disputes, business and intellectual property conflicts, and other civil disagreements, especially those involving personal injury and torts.

Why might I need to hire a civil lawyer for my civil lawsuit?

Hiring a civil lawyer is crucial because civil law claims and procedures are often complex, requiring specific procedural knowledge and law understanding. A lawyer can help with filing motions, meeting evidence standards, raising objections, formulating defenses, and ensuring the proper legal remedies are sought.

What are some common civil law issues and cases?

Common civil law issues include assault and battery claims, property damage cases, parental responsibility disputes such as child neglect, and negligence claims in accidents. Civil cases may involve monetary damages or equitable remedies like injunctions.

Can I hire a civil lawyer remotely in Kenya, and what are the benefits?

Yes, you can hire civil lawyers remotely in Kenya. Remote services can reduce costs and offer greater flexibility to engage with legal professionals from anywhere in the world, providing effective legal support and representation.

 

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