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.
Elwin is an unincorporated community in the city of Decatur, Illinois, located in Macon County, Illinois. The community is located on U.S. Route 51 in the central portion of the county. Elwin was named after its founders Elwood and Martin. As of 2009, Elwin's population is 163 people. Since the 2000 United States Census, it has had a population growth of -1.72 percent.