Which party bears the burden of proof in a civil case?

In a civil case, the burden of proof typically lies with the plaintiff. This means that it is the responsibility of the plaintiff to present sufficient evidence to support their claims and prove their case. The standard of proof in civil cases is usually "preponderance of the evidence," which means that the plaintiff must show that their claims are more likely true than not. This contrasts with criminal cases, where the prosecution bears the burden of proof and must establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The role of the defendant in a civil case is generally to respond to the claims made by the plaintiff, but they are not required to prove anything unless they raise affirmative defenses. The judge's responsibility is to ensure the law is followed and to make rulings on legal issues, but they do not bear the burden of proof. As for both parties bearing the burden equally, this is not accurate in civil litigation, as the initial onus lies with the plaintiff to establish their case.