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.
Farmington Hills is an affluent community in Southeastern Michigan. It is the largest city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Its population was 82,111 at the 2000 census. It is an upscale, northwestern suburb of Metropolitan Detroit. Although the two cities have separate services and addresses, Farmington and Farmington Hills are often thought of as the same community. Features of the community include a recently renovated downtown, shops, a vintage cinema, numerous restaurants, upscale car dealerships, art galleries, and one of Oakland County's largest public parks, Heritage Park. There are many historical sites, such as 'The Longacre House' of Farmington Hills, and 'The Governor Warner Mansion'. Both cities are served by the Farmington Hills Community School District, which is one of the top rated public school systems in the state. Due to its close location to other affluent communities of West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, and Novi, the communities' real estate values tend to be higher than those in the city of Farmington.