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Civil litigation

compromise and settlement

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 New York, 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 cases such as divorce, child custody, child support, contracts, and intellectual property issues. Settlements are often reached through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, which can be less costly and time-consuming than a trial. The parties involved usually find it beneficial to come to a voluntary agreement that addresses their interests, rather than having a decision imposed by a court after a jury trial. In fact, it is estimated that only a small fraction of civil lawsuits filed actually proceed to a jury trial. New York courts encourage settlement and provide various dispute resolution programs to assist parties in reaching an agreement before trial.

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Civil litigation

compromise and settlement

Individual & Family Legal Plan

Articles

New-York State Code

New-York State Code

Civil litigation

compromise and settlement

Articles