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.
Ruffin is an unincorporated community located in Rockingham County, North Carolina. It is northeast of Reidsville, North Carolina and southwest of Danville, Virginia just off US 29. It has a population of 2,116. Neighboring communities and municipalities include Reidsville, Eden, Pelham, Casville, and Wentworth. Ruffin hosts its Whistlestop Jubilee every fall. It has the Ruffin United Methodist Church, Ruffin Stacey Baptist Church and a few others in the community. The community is named after the 1850's pro-slavery activist Edmund Ruffin. .