B

Explanation:
Civil law governs relationships between individuals or entities, establishing rights (e.g., property, contract, tort) and providing remedies (e.g., damages) for violations. Option B is correct because it accurately describes this body of law. Option A, criminal law, deals with offenses against the state, not private rights. Option C, the Uniform Commercial Code, is a specific set of laws governing commercial transactions, not the broader category of civil law. Option D, stare decisis, is a legal principle of following precedent, not a body of law.