Any behavior, conduct, or series of acts by a person. 2 A civil or criminal judicial proceeding intended to resolve a legal dispute, claim, or accusation. civil action. An action brought to enforce, protect, or redress a civil or private right or to compel a civil remedy; any action brought other than a criminal action. class action. 1 An action brought by a person or a group of people as representatives of a larger group 11 action who have a common legal claim but are so numerous that it is impracticable for all of them to participate or be joined as individual parties in the case. 2 An action brought against a large group of people who have a common legal defense to a claim that they are all potentially liable for but are so numerous that it is impracticable for all of them to participate or be joined as individual parties in the case. criminal action. An action initiated by the government to punish a person or entity for a crime. damage action. An action seeking an award of money from the defendant for a wrong committed upon the plaintiff. derivative action. 1 An action brought on behalf of a corporation by a shareholder when that corporation is entitled to bring an action and, deliberatively or otherwise, fails to do so. 2 An action that is based upon the injury suffered by someone other than the plaintiff. For example, a husband may sue for loss of consortium or services if the defendant injured his wife.