This article examines the functioning of civil society in a rule-of-law state in a deliberative democracy. Covering the theoretical aspect, the article analyses the essence of civil society, the rule of law, and deliberative democracy. In particular, the role of NGOs, media, and other public structures in shaping public opinion and contributing to solving critical problems of society is considered. The authors analyse the interaction of civil society with the legal system, in particular, the role of NGOs in promoting the implementation of laws and monitoring their observance. An important aspect of the study is the analysis of deliberative democracy and its impact on the functioning of civil society, in particular, the issue of citizen participation in decisionmaking and policymaking. The study includes an analysis of the role of civil society in ensuring citizen participation in decision-making, problem-solving, maintaining social stability, and ensuring human rights. Various aspects of civic participation are considered, including public discussions, petitions, and other forms of public mobilization in deliberative democracy. The authors note that the effective functioning of civil society contributes to building a democratic society in which interaction between different social groups is ensured, which helps to achieve consensus and improve citizens' standard of living. The author offers practical recommendations for improving the interaction between civil society and the rule of law to ensure a more effective deliberative democracy.