Most civil disputes in which a lawsuit is filed (civil litigation) are resolved by compromise and voluntary settlement agreements between the parties—whether the disputes involve divorce, child custody, and child support matters, or contracts and intellectual property (patents, copyrights, and trademarks) claims by businesses. Only a small percentage of lawsuits filed in the United States are resolved by jury trials.
In Minnesota, as in other states, the majority of civil disputes that lead to litigation are typically resolved through settlements rather than going to trial. This includes a wide range of legal issues such as divorce, child custody, child support, contract disputes, and intellectual property claims. Settlements are often reached through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, which are less costly and time-consuming than a trial. The parties involved usually find it beneficial to come to a voluntary agreement to avoid the uncertainties and expenses associated with a jury trial. Consequently, only a small fraction of civil lawsuits filed actually proceed to a jury trial. Minnesota's legal system encourages settlement and provides mechanisms such as court-ordered mediation to facilitate this process.