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 Oklahoma, 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 preferred because they can provide a more efficient, cost-effective, and private resolution to legal conflicts. The parties involved usually reach a compromise through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, which allows them to have more control over the outcome. While the option for a jury trial is available, it is used in only a small fraction of cases due to the time, expense, and unpredictability associated with trials.