Civil suit cause (4)
I believe the answer is:
tort
'civil suit cause' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for tort that I've seen before include "Legal wrong for which damages may be sought" , "Wrongful act (in law)" , "Small tropical fish" , "Private wrong for which damages may be claimed" , "Private or civil wrong open to damages" .)