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.
Williamstown is a borough in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 38 miles (63 km) northeast of Harrisburg. Formerly, Anthracite coal mines were here, as well as hosiery mills. In 1900, 2,904 people lived here, and 2,934 lived here in 1910. The population was 1,433 at the 2000 census. Williamstown is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area.