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.
Owenton is a city in Owen County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,387 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Owen County. It is located at the junction of US 127 and Kentucky Route 22, about halfway between Louisville and Cincinnati. Owenton was founded in 1822 and named for the county, which was named for Colonial Abraham Owen, a pioneer who died at the Battle of Tippecanoe. The town incorporated on December 18, 1828. The Greek Revival courthouse was built in 1857-58. Owenton's growth in the late 19th century and beyond was limited because a railroad was never built to it. Its population has grown slightly from 1,280 in 1970.