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.
Gasquet - pronounced (GAS-kee), and formerly spelled Guasquet - is an unincorporated community 22 mi (35 km) southwest of the Oregon border in Del Norte County, California, and 18 miles (29 km) northeast of Crescent City, with a population of 515. It lies at an elevation of 381 feet. The ZIP Code is 95543. Its area code is 707. Gasquet is located in the Smith River National Recreation Area and is reputed to be the rainiest place in California with an average annual rainfall of 90 inches. A post office operated at Gasquet from 1879 to 1902 and from 1949 to present. The name is in honor of Horace Gasquet, its first postmaster.