What must be established in civil law cases to prove liability?

In civil law cases, establishing liability typically involves showing that damages occurred as a result of someone's actions or negligence. This means that the plaintiff must provide evidence that supports their claim that they suffered harm. Unlike criminal cases, where intent to commit a crime is paramount, civil cases focus on the harm inflicted and whether it was due to the defendant's actions or negligence.

While having clear and convincing evidence is valuable in certain civil actions, particularly those involving punitive damages, the fundamental requirement is to demonstrate that damages exist. Proving innocence does not apply in this context since civil liability does not hinge on the defendant proving they have not caused harm, but rather on the claimant proving that harm did occur. Thus, the establishment of damages is crucial to support a claim of liability in civil law cases.