Substantive law is the statutory or written law that governs rights and obligations of those who are subject to it. Substantive law stands in contrast to procedural law, which comprises the rules by which a court hears and determines what happens in civil or criminal proceedings. Substantive law defines crimes and punishments, is found in statutes or can be enacted through the initiative process. Procedural law comprises the rules by which a court hears and determines what happens in civil or criminal proceedings. ... Civil procedure is the body of law that sets out the process that courts will follow when hearing cases of a civil nature (a civil action). These rules govern how a lawsuit or case may be commenced, what kind of service of process is required, the types of pleadings or... Criminal procedure refers to the legal process for adjudicating claims that someone has violated the criminal law. ...