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.
Old Fort is a town in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 959 at the 2008 estimated census. The town is well known for its weekly Mountain Music concerts, which draw a large audience and many musicians from the surrounding areas to Old Fort's downtown each Friday at 7:30 p.m. The first weekend of every October, Old Fort holds Oktoberfest, which is the largest handmade craft and food festival in McDowell County. Old Fort has several attractions, including Andrews Geyser and the Arrowhead Monument. The granite arrowhead was built as a symbol of peace between the pioneers who settled in the area after the Revolutionary War and the Cherokee people. The Arrowhead serves as the focal point for the town, which is traversed by United States Highway 70 and Interstate 40. Additionally, residents of Old Fort are reconstructing Davidson Fort, the Revolutionary War fort that gave Old Fort its name.