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.
Manns Harbor is an unincorporated community in Dare County, North Carolina. Located along U.S. Highway 64 at the eastern terminus of U.S. Highway 264, Manns Harbor used to harbor the ferry that transversed the Croatan Sound and provided access to Roanoke Island. Today, the William B. Umstead Bridge and the newly constructed 4-lane Virginia Dare Bridge link Manteo, North Carolina to the mainland. This community provides a gateway to North Carolina's Outer Banks.