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.
Geneva is a distant suburb of Chicago located in extreme eastern Kane County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,515. It is the county seat of Kane County. Geneva is also has a good school district. Geneva is a popular tourist destination with its scenic location along the Fox River and numerous shops and restaurants. Geneva has a station on the Union Pacific/West line of the Metra commuter rail system which provides frequent service to downtown Chicago, 36 miles (58 km) away. There is an extensive bike trail system in Geneva including portions of the Fox River Trail and the Illinois Prairie Path. Geneva has an active historical society, the Geneva History Center, located in downtown Geneva as well as the Fabyan Windmill, an old Dutch windmill dating back to the 1850s. Geneva is part of a tri-city area, along with St. Charles and Batavia. The area is currently experiencing a high level of population growth as Chicago's urban sprawl spreads farther west. Once considered one of Chicago's farthest west suburbs, Geneva is now becoming less so as farther west suburban locales such as La Fox and Elburn quickly develop. The city is home to the Kane County Cougars baseball club of the Midwest League.