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.
Discovery Bay is a census-designated place (CDP) in Contra Costa County, California in the United States about 60 miles (97 km) from San Francisco. As of 2006, the town's population was about 16,500. Discovery Bay is based on a waterfront community of 3,500+ homes with private docks with access to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Now Discovery Bay has grown and added Discovery Bay West which features gated and non-gated "off-water" communities with homes from 1,400 square feet (130 m) up to 4,700 square feet (440 m). In July 2007 Discovery Bay celebrated its maturity into its own community by changing the zip code from 94514 (which it shared with the neighboring town Byron) to 94505. A huge town celebration ensued with a world record-setting paddle boat raft-up.