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.
Newberry is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Luce County. Located within McMillan Township at its very southern end, it shares some administrative responsibilities with the surrounding township. The population was 2,686 at the 2000 census. Newberry is surrounded by miles of state and national forests and is considered one of two gateways to the Tahquamenon Falls area. (The other is Paradise, approximately 40 miles to the northeast. ) Newberry was designated as the moose capital of Michigan by the state legislature, in House Resolution 2002-572 and Senate Resolution 2002-259. It is home to the Newberry Correctional Facility, operating since 1996. In August 2007, the Sleeper Lakes Fire burned for several weeks north of Newberry, and firefighting efforts were coordinated from this village. The Newberry High School football team competes each year for the Little Brown Jug of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a rivalry game with Sault Sainte Marie dating back to 1913.