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.
North Chelmsford is an unincorporated village in the town of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, United States. Although North Chelmsford has its own zip code, library, post office, police station, fire station, and local calling area, it is run by the same local town government and is part of the same school district as Chelmsford. North Chelmsford is more industrial, more densely populated, and generally less affluent than the rest of Chelmsford. North Chelmsford's separate identity and the town government's perceived bias one way or the other is a political issue - the Lowell Sun ran an article on August 7, 2005 describing the situation as "Chelmsford's Civil War Still Raging On. " Bumper stickers such as "I'm from North Chelmsford - Don't Tread On Me" can be seen around town. When it comes to Chelmsford's rivalry with neighboring Billerica though, Chelmsford and North Chelmsford stand firmly united.