Civil law, as opposed to criminal law, is the branch of law
dealing with disputes between individuals and/or organizations,
in which compensation may be awarded to the victim. For
instance, if a car crash victim claims damages against the
driver for loss or injury sustained in an accident, this will be
a civil law case. Civil law courts provide a forum for deciding
disputes involving torts (such as accidents, negligence, and
libel), contract disputes, the probate of wills, trusts,
property disputes, administrative law, commercial law, and any
other private matters that involve private parties or
organizations including government departments. The objectives
of civil law are different from other types of law. In civil law
there is the attempt to right a wrong, honor an agreement, or
settle a dispute. If there is a victim, they get compensation,
and the person who is the cause of the wrong pays, this being a
civilized form of, or legal alternative to, revenge.