Аннотация: In the article, the author examines the features of the definition and functions of civil liability. The author came to the conclusion that both in the issue of defining the content and essence of civil liability, and in defining its functions at the doctrinal level, there are many conceptual positions associated with the difference in methodological approaches to these legal phenomena. A variety of scientific approaches to identifying the functional potential of civil liability does not bear on itself conceptual antagonism, but fulfills the task of the most thorough identification of the purpose and purpose of implementing civil liability.