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.
Williams is an unincorporated community in Josephine County, Oregon, United States. The area is heavily forested, and extends roughly from Oregon Route 238 (Williams Highway) south to Grayback Mountain, with no paved roads continuing on. The central point of Williams, containing the majority of the commerce, is approximately 15 miles north of the Oregon-California border. There were three different post offices in the area named for their proximity to Williams Creek: Williams, Williamsburg and Williams Creek. Williams Creek, which flows into the Applegate River, was named for Captain Robert Williams, who fought with Rogue River Indians along the creek during the Rogue River Wars. Williams post office was established in 1881 and is approximately six miles upstream from Provolt, which is on Williams Creek two miles from the Jackson-Josephine county line. The community is served by the Three Rivers School District. Williams itself contains a single school of this district - Williams Elementary School.