{"id":11018,"date":"2017-12-18T03:25:58","date_gmt":"2017-12-18T03:25:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/?page_id=11018"},"modified":"2018-09-05T23:15:41","modified_gmt":"2018-09-05T23:15:41","slug":"compromise-and-settlement-a-compromise-agreement-followed-by-the-performance-of-the-promises-contained-in-the-agreement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/?page_id=11018","title":{"rendered":"compromise and settlement &#8211; a compromise agreement followed by the performance of the promises contained in the agreement"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0This page is continued from <a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/?page_id=10714\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Civil Law Self-Help<\/a> &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/?page_id=11519\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 3 Which Form(s) of Relief are you seeking to Remedy the Situation?<\/a><\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>\u00a0&gt;&gt;&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/?page_id=6814\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Damages<\/a> &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/?page_id=6840\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">General Legal Terms<\/a>:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">************************<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">compromise and settlement<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1. <strong>1. An agreement between two or more persons to settle matters in dispute between them; an agreement for the settlement of a real or supposed claim in which each party surrenders somethings in concession to the other.<\/strong> \u2014 aka<\/span> <span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em><strong>compromise<\/strong><\/em><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.\u00a0 See COMPOSITION (1). [1]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1. A compromise agreement followed by the performance of the promises contained in the agreement.<\/span>\u00a0 <span style=\"color: #800000;\">15 Am J2d Compr \u00a7 1<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> [2]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"><strong>1. An agreement to settle a dispute, followed by performance of the promises contained in the agreement.<\/strong> [3]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Excerpt from<\/span>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/store.nolo.com\/products\/represent-yourself-in-court-ryc.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Represent Yourself in Court;\u00a0<em>How to Prepare &amp; Try a Winning Cas<\/em>e<\/a>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000000;\">(7th ed.) by by Paul Bergman and Sara J. Berman (NOLO):<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0&#8220;<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Informal estimates are that around 90% of cases filed in court wind up being settled rather than resolved by the verdict of a judge or jury.\u00a0 This conventional wisdom is reinforced by a recent study led by <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18.6667px;\"><b>Jonathan<\/b><\/span><b style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u00a0Hyman for the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts.\u00a0 Not only did just 10% of all the cases in the New Jersey sample go to trial but 12% of these cases settled after a trial had started.\u00a0 Thus, the Hyman study also confirmed <\/b><span style=\"font-size: 18.6667px;\"><b>another<\/b><\/span><b style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u00a0basic truth ab out litigation:\u00a0 its never too late to settle.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Settlement is a popular option for a number of reasons:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">As a plaintiff, you can take advantage of the time value of money.\u00a0 The dollar you get by settling now could be more valuable than the two dollars you may get years down the road.<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>If you are self-represented, no matter whether you a re a plaintiff or a defendant, the biggest benefit fo settlement can be extricating yourself from a complex and often alien and hostile legal system.\u00a0 Also, you can save yourself the <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18.6667px;\"><b>hundreds<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>\u00a0of hours you may otherwise have to spend doing legal research, talking to witnesses, gathering documents, engaging in numerous other case-related activities, and ultimately going to court.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Settlement affords both plaintiffs and defendants the certainty of a known result.\u00a0 By comparison, the outcome of a trial is always in doubt.\u00a0 (Lawyers are fond of referring to trial as a &#8220;crapshoot.&#8221;)\u00a0 Event the most solid case can <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18.6667px;\"><b>occasionally<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>\u00a0succumb to such factors as lost exhibits, disappearing or forgetful witnesses, a hostile judge, or a rogue jury.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Settling often allows both sides to tailor the outcome to meet their specific needs.\u00a0 For example, if a business dispute goes to trial, a judge may be limited to awarding the plaintiff money damages that the defendant cannot pay.\u00a0 By <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18.6667px;\"><b>settling<\/b><\/span><b style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">, the parties might <\/b><span style=\"font-size: 18.6667px;\"><b>structure<\/b><\/span><b style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u00a0future dealings in such a way that the plaintiff is paid off over time or is guaranteed future contracts that more than make up for the money the plaintiff lost.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">EXAMPLE: Daniel and Julia see and orange on he sidewalk.\u00a0 When both lunge for it, a nasty argument ensues.\u00a0 In court, a judge would probably have to aware the entire orange to Daniel or Julia according to a legal rule\u00a0\u2014 perhaps to the one who saw it first.\u00a0 However, in settlement discussions the parties might realize that Daniel wants the orange tuse its peel in a recipe, while Julia wants it only for the pulp to make orange juice.\u00a0 in short, the orange can be divided so that both parties get what they want.\u00a0 in this way, a settlement can produce a mutually satisfactory &#8220;win-win&#8221; outcome that the legal system could not&#8230;.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Because every case that settles is one fewer that the formal legal system has to find time and room for, legislators and judges think that settlement is also in the best interests fo the legal system.\u00a0 After a complaint and answer are filed and before a case goes to trial, you will inevitably encounter judges, backed by court rules and procedures, encouraging you to consider settlement&#8230;.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Try Settling Before Litigation:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Waiting to try and resolve a dispute until after court papers have been filed ordinarily makes little sense.\u00a0 People should\u00a0\u2014 and most probably do\u00a0\u2014 attempt to settle their arguments before going to court.\u00a0 in fact, filing and serving a complaint is often proof that these early settlement efforts have failed.\u00a0 Paradoxically, a complaint itself can often serve as a settlement device in the sense that is represents one side telling the other, &#8220;I mean business, and you&#8217;d better be willing to compromise if you want to avoid a long and nasty fight.&#8221;<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0There&#8217;s no real downside to trying to settle, either.\u00a0 Your adversary isn&#8217;t allowed to present evidence at trial about any compromise offers you make during settlement negotiations.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0One way to achieve a fair and effective settlement before goign to (or being dragged into) court is to employ techniques known collectively as &#8220;alternative dispute resolution,&#8221; or &#8220;ADR.&#8221;\u00a0 Prominent among these techniques are negotiation (trying to resolve a dispute by talking to another person face to face) and mediation (trying to trying to resolve a dispute with the help of a neutral third-party <\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18.6667px;\"><b>mediator<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>)&#8230;.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #993300;\"><strong>Court-Ordered Mediation:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Mediation is a descendant of dispute resolution methods used by village or tribal elders in ancient times.\u00a0 In mediation, you discuss a dispute with your opponent and a neutral, usually professionally trained, third person called a mediator.\u00a0 The mediator&#8217;s role is to facilitate discussion, help the parties focus on concrete issues and create and evaluate settlement proposals, and, if the process gets that far, help the parties craft a written settlement agreement.\u00a0 A mediator has no power to impose a solution.\u00a0 Because mediation so often produce settlements, courts in many localities require parties in some kinds of cases to go through mediation before their cases can proceed towards trial. (This is often called &#8220;judicial&#8221; mediation.)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Every state sponsors low-cost, voluntary, community-based mediation programs in specific fields, usually including neighbor disputes, consumer problems, landlord-tenan t problems, and child custody and visitation disputes.\u00a0 In addition, many mediators who specialize in divorce and business disputes practice privately.\u00a0 The upshot is that mediation is so widelyavailable that, one way or the other, you may well have voluntarily particpated in a mediation before going (or being taken) to court.\u00a0 Wheher or not this is true, if you find yourself in small claims court, ind a child custody dispute, or in a case involving what the courts consider a small amount of money (often, $50,000 or less), a judge is likely to sugges<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">t strongly or even order you and your opponent to try mediation.\u00a0 Of course,<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">\u00a0if mediation does not produce a settlement, your case continues on through the court system.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The American Arbitration Association (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.adr.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.adr.org<\/a>), to which many mediators belong, states that &#8220;in most cases mediation results in a settlement.&#8221;\u00a0 Other mediation groups generally concur.\u00a0 Because it is quite likely that you will resolve your dispute with a mediated settlement and not a court judgment, you&#8217;ll obviously want to guard against disadvantageous result by preparing carefully for mediation.\u00a0 The following tips should help you achive a satisfactory mediated settlement:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><em>Understand the process<\/em>. You will be attempting to resolve the case with your opponent personally, even if your opponent is represented by a lawyer. (Lawyers sometimes attend mediations, but only to counsel clients and facilitate the discussion.)\u00a0 However recognize that a representative of a\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">business or other large organization is likely to have prior mediation experience, will be savvy about and at ease with the process, and may be a lawyer to boot&#8230;.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><em>Think in advance about what outcomes you would find acceptable<\/em>.\u00a0 Though a mediator may suggest ideas you haven\u2019t considered, getting a head start on your thinking can help you evaluate new proposals.\u00a0 While you want to keep an open mind, it is particularly important that you think in advance about an acceptable bottom-line compromise position so that you don\u2019t find yourself conceding too much.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><em>Bring documents and other exhibits supporting your legal claim<\/em>.\u00a0 Even though no judge or jury is present to declare a winner or loser, tangible objects lend force to your points\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">and provide you with psychological support.<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><em>Remember the goal.<\/em> The idea behind mediation is not to produce winners and losers but to find solutions \u2014 often creative ones beyond the power of a judge to order \u2014 that meet both parties\u2019 real needs (but not always their\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">fondest wants or expectations)&#8230;.<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0A judge often has the power to order mediation of any <\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18.6667px;\"><b>civil<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>\u00a0lawsuit involving less than $50,000 and of all child custody and visitation disputes.\u00a0 The parties usually have a chance to agree on a mediator of their choosing, but in some instances the judge simply appoints one from a panel of available mediators.\u00a0 When a judge orders the parties to mediate, the mediator&#8217;s fees are paid by the court.\u00a0 And mediations are more informal than trials; they take place in office settings, not in courtrooms, and operate without regard to evidence rules.\u00a0 Disputants are therefore free to say whatever they want and to back it up without whatever information they consider important&#8230;.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0A judge can stop a hearing and send the parties to mediate a single issue and then return to the courtroom.\u00a0 some courthouses have mediators on site who are <\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18.6667px;\"><b>available<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>\u00a0on an &#8220;on-call&#8221; basis to handle such matters.\u00a0 you will not get to choose the mediator, and the mediation will not cover the whole case\u00a0\u2014 just the single issue that is hanging things up.\u00a0 You will not have to pay for the mediator.\u00a0 typically, the mediator is either paid by the court or is a volunteer.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">EXAMPLE: Hilary has invested $20,000 to become a partner in a bagel\/flower shop business started by Skye.\u00a0 Hilary asks for her money back after becoming convinced that Skye seriously understated the level of local competition.\u00a0 When Skye refuses, Hilary sues Skye for fraud and breach of contract; Skye denies Hilary&#8217;s allegations.\u00a0 At an early stage of the litigation a judge orders the parties to try mediation.\u00a0 During mediation, Hilary refers to &#8220;reliable rumors I&#8217;ve heard about the national bagel chain&#8217;s plan to open a couple of nearby outlets int he next few months.&#8221;\u00a0 In a trial, a judge would probably rule that\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">Hilary\u2019s reference to rumors (no matter how \u201creliable\u201d) is inadmissible on the grounds of vagueness and hearsay.\u00a0 However, Hilary is entirely free to talk about rumors in mediation, and her statements have as much force as Skye and the mediator are willing to give them.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0If mediation doesn\u2019t produce a settlement \u2014 and remember that neither a mediator nor a judge can force you to accept a mediated solution \u2014 your case proceeds to trial.\u00a0 Nothing you or anybody else says during mediation is admissible as evidence at trial.\u00a0 For example, your opponent can\u2019t testify that during the mediation you admitted that \u201cI might have been driving a few miles over the speed limit.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0To help you understand how mediation works, consider how the mediation in Hilary\u2019s and Skye\u2019s dispute might unfold&#8230;.<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>\u00a0 Depending on the complexity of a dispute and the attitudes of the parties, the stages described below may be completed in an hour or two, or they may continue over several days . But no matter how long it lasts, the mediation is likely to proceed as follows:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">Stage 1:\u00a0 The mediator reviews the goals and rules of mediation with the parties and encourages the parties to work cooperatively toward a settlement. For instance, a mediator might tell Hilary and Skye, \u201cI encourage\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">each of you to be honest with the other\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">and to make your best effort at reaching an agreement.\u00a0 I won\u2019t take sides, and I\u2019ll keep everything you say confidential.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">Stage 2:\u00a0 Each side has an uninterrupted chance to describe that party\u2019s view of what the argument is all about and to offer possible solutions.\u00a0 For example, Hilary and Skye in turn could describe their understanding of the events, documents, and conversations leading up to the agreement.\u00a0 They could then each discuss their perceptions of the level of competition the new business will face.\u00a0 Finally, both could say how they want to resolve the dispute. Initially, for instance, Hilary might demand \u201cmy money back right now,\u201d while Skye might say, \u201cI want to keep Hilary\u2019s money in the business for at least one year, but I am willing to sign a note promising to pay her back in a year with interest.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">Stage 3:\u00a0 The mediator tries to get the parties to identify and agree on the issues that must be dealt with to resolve the dispute.\u00a0 In this case, the mediator might identify \u201clevel of expected competition\u201d and \u201cduration of the partnership agreement\u201d as\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">issues that Hilary and Skye absolutely must discuss.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">Stage 4:\u00a0 The mediator meets privately (called \u201ccaucusing\u201d) with each side to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each person\u2019s position and try to refine settlement ideas.\u00a0 In a private caucus with Hilary, for example, the mediator might want to discuss her ability to prove Skye\u2019s alleged misrepresentations and what information she might consider relevant to a decision to keep the partnership going.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">Stage 5:\u00a0 \u00a0The mediator and the parties again meet all together to continue working\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">toward a solution.\u00a0 Sometimes the parties might find it best to agree to adjourn the mediation for a week or two so that they can seek out additional information.\u00a0 When the mediation continues, all three will meet to see if settlement is a realistic possibility.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">Stage 6:\u00a0 Mediation ends with a resolution that is summarized in writing, or with a joint decision to return to the court system because agreement cannot be reached and further efforts to mediate would be futile.\u00a0 In this case, one possible settlement would consist of Skye agreeing to increase Hilary\u2019s interest in the partnership by 5% or 10% to compensate her for the unanticipated risk presented by additional competition.\u00a0 Another possibility would be for the two parties to agree to change their merchandise mix to avoid head-to-head competition.\u00a0 If an agreement is reached, the mediator would help the parties put it in writing, report back to the court, and file papers dismissing the case.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The stages described above unfold when a mediator is thorough and the parties are relatively cooperative.\u00a0 In a court-ordered mediation, when time may be short and one or both parties may not want to mediate, the process may be quite different-but an\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">agreement may well result anyway.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #993300;\"><strong>Court-Ordered Arbitration:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Many states give judges a second way to resolve cases (involving less than $50,000 or so) without going to trial: court-ordered or \u201cjudicial\u201d arbitration, a kind of informal trial. In states that authorize both court-ordered mediation and court-ordered arbitration, you\u2019ll need to check your local court rules<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">to find out Whether you can have any inpur into which procedure a judge orders you to follow. If you and your opponent agree, it might even be possible for a judge to order that both procedures occur. That is, if court-ordered mediation fails to produce an agreement, you might ask the judge to order the case to arbitration.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">Like mediation, arbitration is designed to be a less expensive alternative to resolving a dispute in court. However, arbitration is more like a trial than mediation is. That\u2019s because in an arbitration you and your adversary present oral testimony, documents, and other tangible exhibits to a neutral third party (an arbitrator) who is empowered to make a decision, usually called an \u201caward.\u201d Arbitrators are professionally trained in arbitration procedures and are usually lawyers or retired judges. Most courts maintain panels of arbitrators; a judge will appoint one for your case. The arbitrator\u2019s fee (often around $100 per case or hearing day) is paid by the court. (In some localities, parties whose cases involve too much money to be covered by court-ordered arbitration can request voluntary arbitration, in which case they pay the arbitrator\u2019s fees themselves.)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18.6667px;\"><b>Arbitrations<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>\u00a0typically take place in the arbitrator\u2019s conference room, and the arbitrator need not strictly abide by rules of evidence.\u00a0 Moreover, an arbitrator can try to fashion an outcome that is fair, even if the outcome is different from what might happen in court.\u00a0 After both parties have presented their evidence, the arbitrator will issue a written award deciding the case.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\">The arbitrator can make an award regardless of whether the parties agree with it, unlike in mediation.\u00a0 However, an award resulting from court-ordered arbitration is ordinarily nonbinding.\u00a0 That is, if you are not happy with the outcome of court-ordered arbitration, you can reject an arbitrator&#8217;s awared and insist that your case be returned to the court system&#8230;.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">settlement<\/span>:<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\">n. (17c)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"><strong>1. An agreement ending a dispute or lawsuit<\/strong> &lt;the parties reached a settlement the day before trial&gt;<strong>.<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 aka <em><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>settlement agreement<\/strong><\/span><\/em>. [1]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>1. The ending of a <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18.6667px;\"><b>controversy<\/b><\/span><b style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u00a0by <\/b><span style=\"font-size: 18.6667px;\"><b>agreement<\/b><\/span><b style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">.\u00a0 The determination of an issue or of the correctness of an account.\u00a0 the payment of an obligation.\u00a0 The order made upon a trustee&#8217;s account, determining the <\/b><span style=\"font-size: 18.6667px;\"><b>among<\/b><\/span><b style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u00a0of the trust in the hands of the trustee and his liability therefor, decreeing distribution to the parties entitled thereto, and in the case of a continuing trust, re-awarding the body of the trust to the trustee for further administration. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;\">54 Am J1st Trusts\u00a0\u00a7 511<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\">An administrative\u00a0 determination of the amount due from the United States upon a public contract.\u00a0<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> Illinois Surety Co. v United States<\/em>, 240 US 214, 221, 60 L Ed 609, 614, 36 S Ct 328<\/span>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"><strong>The actual occupation of lands by a pre-emptor for the purpose of obtaining title thereto from the government. <span style=\"color: #800000;\">42 Am J1st Pub L\u00a0\u00a7 22<\/span>.<\/strong> [2]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff; font-size: 18pt;\">derivative settlement<\/span> &#8211;<\/strong> (18c) <strong>1. The negotiated outcome of a derivative action.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 See DERIVATIVE ACTION.\u00a0 2. A person\u2019s legal-residence status that is acquired though another person, as with a child through one or both parents.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #ff00ff; font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>final settlement<\/strong><\/span> &#8211; (17c) <strong>A court order discharging an executor\u2019s duties after an estate\u2019s execution.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff; font-size: 18pt;\">full settlement<\/span> &#8211;<\/strong> (17c) <strong>A settlement and release of all pending claims between the parties.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"text_exposed_show\">\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #ff00ff; font-size: 18pt;\">judicial settlement<\/span> &#8211; The settlement of a civil case with the help of a judge who is not assigned to adjudicate the dispute.\u00a0 *\u00a0 Parties sometimes find this procedure advantageous because it capitalizes on judicial experience in evaluating a claim\u2019s settlement value.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #ff00ff;\">mediated settlement agreement<\/span> &#8211;<\/strong> (1982) <strong>A settlement agreement arrived at through mediation.\u00a0<\/strong> Abbr. <em><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">MSA<\/span><\/strong><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff; font-size: 18pt;\">nuisance settlement<\/span> &#8211;<\/strong> (1935) <strong>A settlement in which the defendant pays the plaintiff purely for economic reasons as opposed to any notion of responsibility because without the settlement the defendant would spend more money in legal fees and expenses caused by protracted litigation than in paying the settlement amount.\u00a0 *\u00a0 The money paid in such a settlement is often\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\">termed nuisance money.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff; font-size: 18pt;\">out-of-court settlement<\/span> &#8211;<\/strong> (1930) <strong>The settlement and termination of a pending suit, arrived at without the court\u2019s participation.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff; font-size: 18pt;\">settlement offer<\/span> &#8211;<\/strong> See SETTLEMENT OFFER.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff; font-size: 18pt;\">structured settlement<\/span> &#8211;<\/strong> (1978) <strong>A settlement in which the defendant agrees to pay periodic sums to the plaintiff for a specified time.\u00a0<\/strong>[1]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Excerpt from Alba Conte&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/store.legal.thomsonreuters.com\/law-products\/Treatises\/Attorney-Fee-Awards-3d-Trial-Practice-Series\/p\/100002053\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Attorney Fee Awards<\/em><\/a> 5 2.31, at 101 (1993): <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u201c<span style=\"color: #800000;\">Especially in personal injury and product liability cases, structured settlements i.e., those which provide for an initial cash payment followed by deferred payments in future years, normally on some annuity basis are becoming more frequent. . . . Such a structured settlement may have advantages over a lump-sum cash payment. Deferred payments or arranged settlements may serve particular purposes that a cash settlement could not reach, and there will be instances when a structured settlement will be in lieu of an all-cash settlement that would not be acceptable to one party or the other<\/span>.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"> [4]<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p align=\"CENTER\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">References:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p align=\"CENTER\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Disclaimer:<\/span><\/span><\/strong> <strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">All material throughout this website is pertinent to people everywhere, and is being utilized in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=2191\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fair Use<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">[1]: <a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=5451\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Black\u2019s Law <\/a><\/span><\/strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=5451\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Dictionary\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=5451\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Deluxe<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=5451\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Tenth<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=5451\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Edition<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/em><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>by<\/b><\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> Henry Campbell Black, Editor in Chief Bryan A. Garner. ISBN: 978-0-314-61300-4<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">[2]: <a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=9167\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ballantine\u2019s Law <\/a><\/span><\/strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=9167\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Dictionary\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=9167\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>with<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=9167\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Pronunciations<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=9167\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/a><\/em><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=9167\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Third Edition<\/a>\u00a0by James A. Ballantine\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><em><span style=\"font-size: large;\">(James Arthur 1871-1949).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/em><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Edited by William S. Anderson.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a9 1969 by THE LAWYER\u2019S CO-OPERATIVE PUBLISHING COMPANY.\u00a0 Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 68-30931<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">[3]: <a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=7679\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ballantine\u2019s Law <\/a><\/span><\/strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=7679\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Dictionary\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=7679\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Legal<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=7679\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Assistant<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/\/?page_id=7679\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Edition<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/em><em><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/em><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>by<\/b><\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> Jack Ballantine\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><em><span style=\"font-size: large;\">(James Arthur 1871-1949).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawyeredu.org\/what-is-a-juris-doctorate-degree.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Doctored<\/span><\/a><\/strong><em><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/em><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">by\u00a0Jack G. Handler,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawyeredu.org\/what-is-a-juris-doctorate-degree.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">J.D.<\/a>\u00a0\u00a9 1994 Delmar by Thomson Learning.\u00a0 ISBN 0-8273-4874-6.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">******************************************<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"CENTER\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Back to <a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/?page_id=6814\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Various Types of Damages<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p align=\"CENTER\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Like this website?<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p align=\"CENTER\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdpac.com\/campaigns\/289757\/startup-funds-for-wild-willpower-pac-housing-eco-wise-homesteading-solutions-for-all\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Please Support Our Fundraiser<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p align=\"CENTER\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">or donate via\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.paypal.com\/\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">PayPal<\/span><\/a><\/strong><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><ul class=\"ul-addw2p ul-addw2p-paypalbutton\">\n<li>please set some widgets to show from Appearance -> Widgets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.reunitethestates.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/ReUniteTheStates-Card.jpg?resize=474%2C271\" width=\"474\" height=\"271\" name=\"graphics1\" align=\"BOTTOM\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p align=\"CENTER\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Disclaimer:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wildwillpower.org\/\">Wild Willpower<\/a>\u00a0does not condone the actions of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=OglrzNohp3Q\">Maximilian Robespierre<\/a>, however the above quote is excellent!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"sdfootnote1\" dir=\"LTR\">\n<p align=\"CENTER\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">This website is being broadcast for\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.wildwillpower.org\/about-wild-willpower\/a-peaceable-assembly-of-civilians\">First Amendment purposes<\/a>\u00a0courtesy of<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wildwillpower.org\/about-wild-willpower\/a-peaceable-assembly-of-civilians\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.reunitethestates.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/Wild-WIllpower-array-of-greens.jpg?resize=474%2C83\" width=\"474\" height=\"83\" name=\"graphics2\" align=\"BOTTOM\" border=\"2\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Question(s)?\u00a0 Suggestion(s)?<br \/>\nDistance@WildWillpower.org.<br \/>\n<\/span><em><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">We look forward to hearing from you!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0This page is continued from Civil Law Self-Help &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;\u00a0\u00a7 3 Which Form(s) of Relief are you seeking to Remedy the Situation?\u00a0&gt;&gt;&gt; Damages &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; General Legal Terms: ************************ compromise and settlement: 1. 1. An agreement between two or more persons to settle matters in dispute between them; an agreement for the settlement of a &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/?page_id=11018\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">compromise and settlement &#8211; a compromise agreement followed by the performance of the promises contained in the agreement<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":6840,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11018","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11018","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11018"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11018\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17105,"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11018\/revisions\/17105"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11018"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}