Settlement

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Settlement in the United States

Resolution of a dispute by mutual agreement. A settlement is reached after negotiation on the merits and brings about a final disposition of the controversy. A settlement is achieved by the parties before a court actually adjudicates the facts in a case. Indeed, a settlement obviates the need for a trial. Settlements do not fully eliminate expenditure of court resources, however. Settlements become more likely after some form of court intervention, such as the holding of a pretrial conference.

Settlement as defined by Nolo’s Encyclopedia of Everyday Law (p. 437-455): An agreement resolving a dispute between the parties in a lawsuit without a trial.

Settlement Definition in the context of the Federal Court System

Parties to a lawsuit resolve their dispute without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in at least partial satisfaction of the other party’s claims, but usually do not include the admission of fault.

Settlement Definition in History

A residence under such circumstances as to entitle a person to support or assistance in case of becoming a pauper. It is obtained in various ways, to wit: By birth; by the legal settlement of the father, in the case of minor children; by marriage; by continued ‘ residence; by the payment of requisite taxes; by the lawful exercise of a public office; by hiring and service for a specified time; by serving an apprenticeship; and perhaps some others, which depend upon the local statutes of the different states. (…) In Contracts. A determination by agreement. 113 Iowa 211. An agreement by which two or more persons who have dealings together so far arrange their accounts as to ascertain the balance due from one to the other; payment in full. The conveyance of an estate for the benefit of some person or persons. See “Marriage Settlement.” (1)

Analysis and Relevance

Parties pursue settlements in cases because they wish to reduce the risk that comes with a trial. Settlements typically reflect a compromise on at least one of the key issues. Such compromises are attempts by both sides to hedge against losing completely at trial. Settlements produce certainty of outcome for both sides. The likelihood of resolving a case by settlement increases substantially as the case comes closer to the trial date and the parties develop greater apprehension about success in the trial. A settlement is also the final disposition of a dispute. Appeals are virtually never taken from settlements. The settlement reduces anxiety and eliminates the costs associated with a trial. The courts are supportive of parties settling disputes because settlements free trial time for other cases. Since there is always a substantial backlog of civil cases, courts have a strong interest in having cases resolved without trial. It is for this same reason that alternative dispute resolution has become so widely used. The criminal counterpart to settlement is the plea bargain or plea agreement. While the processes may vary somewhat, criminal defendants and prosecutors negotiate plea agreements for the same reasons civil litigants negotiate—greater control of the outcome.

Notes and References

  1. Definition of Settlement from the American Law Dictionary, 1991, California

Notes

1. This definition of Settlement is based on the The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

See Also

Delay (Civil Process) Plea Bargaining (Civil Process)

Settlement (Bank Collections)

This section introduces, discusses and describes the basics of settlement. Then, cross references and a brief overview about Bank Collections is provided. Finally, the subject of Commercial Law in relation with settlement is examined. Note that a list of cross references, bibliography and other resources appears at the end of this entry.

Finding the law: Settlement in the U.S. Code

A collection of general and permanent laws relating to settlement, passed by the United States Congress, are organized by subject matter arrangements in the United States Code (U.S.C.; this label examines settlement topics), to make them easy to use (usually, organized by legal areas into Titles, Chapters and Sections). The platform provides introductory material to the U.S. Code, and cross references to case law. View the U.S. Code’s table of contents here.

Related Entries:

  1. Deposition
  2. Discovery
  3. Sentencing Guidelines
  4. Interrogatories
  5. Judgment
  6. Plaintiff
  7. SENTENCE
  8. Summary Judgment
  9. Service of Process
  10. Common Law
  11. Affidavit
  12. Answer
  13. Damages
  14. Docket
  15. Security Interests
  16. Injunction
  17. Mediation
  18. Motion
  19. Pleadings
  20. Sequester
  21. Statute
  22. Subpoena
  23. Verdict
  24. Sexual Harassment
  25. Statute Of Limitations
  26. Pretrial Services
  27. Pro Bono
  28. Alternative Dispute Resolution
  29. Default Judgment
  30. Pretrial Conference
  31. Sentencing Commission
  32. Acquittal
  33. Appeal
  34. Debtor
  35. Decree
  36. Demurrer
  37. Evidence
  38. Security Agreements
  39. Felony
  40. Liability
  41. Nolo Contendere
  42. Order
  43. Restraining Order
  44. Search Warrant
  45. Secretary of State
  46. Self-Defense
  47. Stipulation
  48. Writ
  49. Secret Warranty Program
  50. Secured Debt
  51. Security Deposit
  52. Separate Property
  53. Service Contract
  54. Service Mark
  55. Advisory Opinion
  56. Directed Verdict
  57. Expert Witness
  58. Hearsay
  59. Secured Transactions
  60. Show Cause Order
  61. Precedent
  62. Securities Law
  63. Segregation
  64. Civil Cases
  65. Self-Incrimination
  66. Social Media
  67. Deadline
  68. Securities Regulation
  69. Securities Intermediaries
  70. Settlement of International Claims

Settlement: Open and Free Legal Research of US Law

Federal Primary Materials

The U.S. federal government system consists of executive, legislative, and judicial branches, each of which creates information that can be the subject of legal research about Settlement. This part provides references, in relation to Settlement, to the legislative process, the federal judiciary, and the primary sources of federal law (cases, statutes, and regulations).

Federal primary materials about Settlement by content types:

Laws and Regulations

US Constitution
Federal Statutory Codes and Legislation

Federal Case Law and Court Materials

U.S. Courts of Appeals
United States courts of appeals, inclouding bankruptcy courts and bankcruptcy appellate panels:

Federal Administrative Materials and Resources

Presidential Materials

Materials that emanate from the President’s lawmaking function include executive orders for officers in departments and agencies and proclamations for announcing ceremonial or commemorative policies. Presidential materials available include:

Executive Materials

Federal Legislative History Materials

Legislative history traces the legislative process of a particular bill (about Settlement and other subjects) for the main purpose of determining the legislators’ intent behind the enactment of a law to explain or clarify ambiguities in the language or the perceived meaning of that law (about Settlement or other topics), or locating the current status of a bill and monitoring its progress.

State Administrative Materials and Resources

State regulations are rules and procedures promulgated by state agencies (which may apply to Settlement and other topics); they are a binding source of law. In addition to promulgating regulations, state administrative boards and agencies often have judicial or quasi-judicial authority and may issue administrative decisions affecting Settlement. Finding these decisions can be challenging. In many cases, researchers about Settlement should check state agency web sites for their regulations, decisions, forms, and other information of interest.

State rules and regulations are found in codes of regulations and administrative codes (official compilation of all rules and regulations, organized by subject matter). Search here:

State opinions of the Attorney General (official written advisory opinions on issues of state law related to Settlement when formerly requested by a designated government officer):

Tools and Forms

Law in Other Regions

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