Which of the following describes a class action in civil law?

A class action in civil law is specifically characterized by a legal procedure that allows one or more individuals to file and prosecute a lawsuit on behalf of a larger group, known as the "class," that has similar legal claims or damages. This type of lawsuit is useful for resolving common issues that affect a large number of people in a similar way, such as consumer rights, employment practices, or environmental claims. The collective nature of class actions helps streamline the judicial process, as it allows numerous claims to be handled together rather than requiring individuals to file separate lawsuits, which could be inefficient and burdensome for both the courts and the parties involved.

In contrast, a lawsuit filed on behalf of a single individual is not a class action; it pertains only to that individual's specific case. A legal action involving multiple defendants may involve a group of different parties but does not necessarily have the unified characteristic of a class action class asserting a common legal interest. Similarly, a criminal case brought by the government does not pertain to civil law or class actions since it involves the state prosecuting an individual or entity for offenses against society rather than addressing private legal claims among individuals.