Settlement
Updated 2026-09-29
A settlement is an agreement between parties to resolve a dispute, often involving a payment and specific terms, reached without a full trial deciding the matter. It can happen at almost any stage, even after a case has been filed.
In a scam claim, a settlement might involve a defendant agreeing to repay some or all of an amount, sometimes in instalments, in exchange for the claim being discontinued. This can be faster than a full trial, though usually for a negotiated amount rather than the full sum originally claimed.
A settlement is typically recorded in writing, and can sometimes be filed with the court and recorded as a judgment by consent, which makes it enforceable in the same way as a court judgment if not honoured.
When it matters
Whether to accept a settlement, and on what terms, is a decision a lawyer can help weigh against the cost, time, and uncertainty of continuing to trial.
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