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.
Greenbank is an unincorporated community on Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington, USA. It has a population around 250. It is the location of the Greenbank Farm, once the largest loganberry farm in the world, and the Greenbank store, which is owned and run by the Coupe family, descendants of Captain Thomas Coupe, founder of Coupeville. Opened in 1904 the Greenbank store now has a deli with good sandwiches and access to the post office through a side door in the store. The farm is the location of Whidbey Pies and a Sunday market. At the farm, there are several things to do. The fields, which used to be planted with loganberries, blackberries and red currants, now have trails and several alpacas. Behind the barns at the Greenbank farm is a small marsh with a viewing platform recently built by the Whidbey Audubon Society. Many species of birds can be observed here including Red Wing Black-Birds and Warblers. On highway 525, one mile south of the Greenbank farm, sits "Guest House Log Cottages", on twenty five beautiful forest acres with wildlife viewing pond with six luxury log cottages, just for two. Nearby on Bakken road is the Greenbank Trading Post which specializes in antiques and used tools. Located on the corner of Bakken and Day roads is Greenbank Cellars, a winery with a small vineyard and tasting shop in an old fashioned barn. The winery is also the location of a 100-year-old Nickelodeon which is in operating condition. It is served by State Route 525. Very few people stop in the area, as it is more of a passing-through area than a way-point along the highway. Prior to 1997, Classic Road, about 2 miles south of Greenbank, marked the northern reach of the Whidbey Telephone Company. Today Whidbey Telecom and Verizon Communications serve the entire Greenbank area. However, unlike most places on Whidbey Island, the residents of Greenbank have a choice between the two phone companies, or can elect to have both. The advantage of both is being able to call anywhere on Whidbey, and several places in Skagit County without being charged for a toll call.