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.
Cedar is an unincorporated community in southeastern Mahaska County, Iowa, United States. It lies along Iowa Highway 23 southeast of the city of Oskaloosa, the county seat of Mahaska County. Its elevation is 814 feet (248 m), and it is located at 41°12′44″N 92°31′33″W / 41.21222°N 92.52583°W / 41.21222; -92.52583 (41.2122326, -92.5257450). Although Cedar is unincorporated, it has a post office with the ZIP code of 52543, which opened on 19 June 1874.