Which legal action is an example of civil law?

Civil law primarily deals with disputes between individuals or organizations, typically involving private rights and obligations. In contrast, criminal law involves actions that are offenses against the state or public and can lead to penalties such as incarceration.

Divorce proceedings serve as a clear example of civil law because they involve the legal dissolution of a marriage between two private parties. This type of proceeding addresses issues such as property division, child custody, and support—areas that fall within the realm of private civil disputes rather than criminal offenses.

Incarceration for theft, tax evasion charges, and traffic violations all fall under criminal law because they involve actions that are considered offenses against society as a whole, which the state seeks to punish. These actions result in legal consequences aimed at maintaining public order and safety. Therefore, divorce proceedings stand out as the appropriate example of civil law in the context of the given question.