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.
Au Train is an unincorporated community located in Au Train Township of Alger County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is in the north of the western section of the Hiawatha National Forest. Au Train is at 46°25′49″N 86°50′12″W / 46.43028°N 86.83667°W / 46.43028; -86.83667. The ZIP code is 49806 and the FIPS place code is 04440. The community sits at the foot of the Au Train River, where it empties into the Au Train Bay of Lake Superior. Its name derived from the French word for "dragging," in reference to travelers being able to drag their canoes along both the river and shore. The area was a landmark for local Native Americans, as the river mouth was the end point of a portage trail between Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. In 1861, the river became a logging run to Lake Superior, with major logging occurring well into the 1880s. The village of Au Train was founded in 1881 when the Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette Railroad was building east from Marquette, and was chosen as the county seat in 1885 before being replaced by Munising. Two structures within the community are listed on the National Register of Historic Places - the Au Train River Bridge over old M-94, and the Paulson House.