ABSTRACT
In the UK, the early law did not distinguish between civil and criminal wrongs. Later, however, the idea sprang up that certain wrongs of an anti-social kind, for example, treason, murder, theft, arson, etc, were offences against the King or the State. The King’s Peace, as it was called, extended to every corner of the land, and all crimes were at the same time breaches of the peace. Certain other wrongs which were done by one person to another were disregarded by the King and the State. These were left to be enforced by the person claiming to be injured or wronged. The injured plaintiff decided whether to take action or not. The claim, if any, was for damages, that is, money compensation or reparation for the injury inflicted by the defendant.
