In some legal cases, it may be in your best interest to settle the matter outside of the courtroom.
Not every case will be ideal for a settlement, so it is important to understand why you may settle and how it works if you decide to go in that direction.
Settlement defined
Settling a case means that instead of going to court and arguing before a judge, you and the other party come to an agreement to end the lawsuit. You will not go to trial because you negotiate all the details of the case outside of court. When settling, you must admit wrongdoing and pay damages in return for the other party to drop the lawsuit.
When settling works
Settling a case works best when you do not have a strong argument. If you lack evidence or you know the other side has a very strong argument, it may be best to settle. It gives you more control over the outcome than going to trial, which could mean you will pay less money in the end.
How settling works
To reach a settlement, both sides will negotiate. You each present your side of the matter and discuss possible outcomes. You work together until you can reach an agreeable conclusion.
Settling a case is not for every situation. If you have a strong case, then you should go to trial as it is in your best interests. Keep in mind that when you settle, you essentially will lose because you have to admit fault and pay damages.
