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.
Guilford is an unincorporated town in York Township, Dearborn County, Indiana. Located at the forks of Tanners Creek the town was first platted in 1850 to take advantage of the fact that a railroad was soon to be built in the area. This made Guilford a prime spot for attracting farmers and merchants who wanted to ship their products. Guilford has the last remaining covered bridge in Dearborn County. Noted bridge builder William Kennedy was hired by the County Commissioners in 1897 to construct the "latest in covered bridges". By 1961, the bridge was slated for replacement with a more durable concrete span. People of the county banded together to save the old structure, raising money and moving it to its present location. It is now the main attraction of the Guilford Covered Bridge Park located at the intersectin of IN St Rt 1 and York Ridge.