Actually, there are two pyramid structures - one for federal courts and one for state courts. Procedural law defines the rules that are used to enforce substantive law. Common law is defined by judges. Statutory law is passed by legislatures. For example, the Securities Act of 1933 is statutory law.
Civil law is between private parties only.
Jurisdiction Jurisdiction is the power of a court to hear a particular case. Subject Matter Jurisdiction Article III of the U.S. constitution states that federal courts have only certain types of subject matter jurisdiction. Federal question jurisdiction - federal courts have federal question jurisdiction in cases involving the federal constitution, federal statutes, or federal treaties. For non-residents of a state, a state court may still have jurisdiction if the person travels regularly to the state on business or has a post office box in the state. Each state has its own definition of what constitutes doing business in the state, as determined by common law.