Settlement and settling disputes

Many disputes are settled. We have produced several Practice Notes and Precedents to guide you through the process of considering and conducting settlement negotiations, making different kinds of offer to settle, and drafting and interpreting settlement agreements.

For detailed guidance and Precedents on Part 36 offers, see: Part 36 offers—overview. For detailed guidance on the various forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including mediation, see: ADR and dispute resolution clauses—overview and Mediation—overview and related content.

The need to seek to settle disputes

Integral to a dispute resolution lawyer’s work is achieving the settlement of disputes. In addition to the client’s own internal drivers such as relationship preservation and avoiding wasting management time, there are civil justice system drivers, not least of which are costs pressures and penalties, working to encourage parties to at least attempt to settle their disputes.

For detailed guidance on why you should actively consider settlement prospects when advising your clients with disputes, when settlement may be possible and should certainly be considered, including the consequences of failing to engage in settlement attempts, see Practice Notes:

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Settling disputes—what, when and why settle?

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