_____ is the law that defines the personal and property rights of individuals.

Civil law is the correct answer because it specifically deals with the rights and relationships between individuals and entities. This branch of law governs issues such as contracts, property disputes, family law (including marriage and custody), and torts, which involve personal injuries or damages.

In contrast, criminal law pertains to offenses against the state or government and involves prosecution by the state for actions deemed harmful to society as a whole. Common law refers to law that is derived from judicial decisions and precedents rather than statutes, and statutory law consists of laws enacted by a legislative body. While these types of law have their own distinct purposes, it is civil law that directly addresses individual and property rights, making it the most accurate response for this question.