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.
Bolivar is the county seat of Polk County, Missouri, United States. The population was 9,143 at the 2000 census. The city was named for Bolivar, Tennessee, home to many of the original settlers. The town is perhaps best known as the location of Southwest Baptist University and it was ranked number 87 on a list of 100 Best Small Towns in America in 1995. Bolivar is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. Bolivar is named after the South American historical figure, Simón Bolívar, who was nicknamed El Libertador (The Liberator). In another nod to history, the local high school, Bolivar High School, calls its sports teams the Liberators. There is also a small skate park within walking distance from the middle school