Which of the following is a common standard used in civil cases?

In civil cases, the standard of proof that is commonly applied is known as the "preponderance of evidence." This standard requires that the evidence presented by one party is more convincing and carries greater weight than the evidence presented by the other party. In practical terms, it means that the party must demonstrate that it is more likely than not that their claims are true—essentially, the evidence must show that there is a greater than 50% chance of the claims being true.

This standard is crucial in civil law because it reflects the idea that the consequences of civil cases often involve compensation or redress, rather than criminal penalties. The requirement is less stringent than the criminal standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt," which is used to protect the accused in criminal cases due to the severe consequences involved, such as imprisonment.

The other standards mentioned in the question—beyond reasonable doubt and reasonable doubt—are primarily relevant to criminal cases. Clear and convincing evidence is a higher standard than preponderance of evidence and is used in certain specific civil cases, such as those involving fraud or the termination of parental rights, but it is not as commonly applied in general civil litigation. Hence, preponderance of evidence is the most recognized standard in typical civil cases