Settlement

What settlement means

In short, settlement is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.

Where settlement comes up

For example, the term appears in these procedures:

• Voluntary Dismissal (Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)): the ways a plaintiff can end its own case.

How to research the term

Start with the primary source. For example, if settlement appears in a federal rule, read the rule itself and its official notes. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing orders from the judge. In addition, search recent decisions from your own state or federal district. They show how courts read settlement in practice. Because state rules often differ, our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. Above all, make sure the version you read is still in force.

You can read the official rule text online for free.

Related legal terms

• Dismissal with prejudice: a dismissal that bars the plaintiff from bringing the same claim again.
• Dismissal without prejudice: a dismissal that does not bar the plaintiff from bringing the claim again.
• Stipulation: an agreement between the parties on a procedural or factual matter, often filed with the court.

Why precise terms matter

Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.