A release or release agreement is a document or other enforceable agreement that releases one party from further liability to another—or releases two or more parties from further liability to each other. A release is typically signed or executed by the parties following an incident, claim, or lawsuit in which one party (the releasing party) claims another party (the released party) caused physical, financial, or emotional damage to the releasing party.

A release is typically included in a settlement agreement to resolve such claims before, during, or after a lawsuit is filed involving the incident or claim. The release is typically given by the releasing party in exchange for the released party paying money or giving or doing something else of value that the releasing party will accept in exchange—even an apology may be given in exchange for a release if the releasing party is willing to accept the apology in exchange for the release.

In New York, a release or release agreement is a legally binding document that absolves one or more parties from further legal responsibility to another party. These agreements are commonly used to settle disputes without going to trial, and they can be executed before, during, or after litigation. The party that is potentially liable (the released party) typically offers compensation or another form of valuable consideration to the party that has been wronged (the releasing party). This compensation can be monetary, but it can also take other forms, such as property, services, or even an apology, as long as the releasing party agrees to it. Once the release agreement is signed, the releasing party generally forfeits the right to bring any further legal action related to the incident against the released party. It's important to note that the terms of release agreements are subject to negotiation and must be crafted carefully to ensure that the rights and obligations of all parties are clearly defined and legally enforceable under New York law.