settlement

settlement

In law, a compromise or agreement between litigants to settle the matters in dispute between them in order to dispose of and conclude their litigation. Generally, as a result of the settlement, prosecution of the action is withdrawn or dismissed without any judgment being entered. The parties may, however, incorporate the terms of the settlement into a consent decree, recorded by the court. Most suits brought today are either withdrawn or settled.

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settlement

1. a place newly settled; colony

2. a collection of dwellings forming a community, esp on a frontier

3. a public building used to provide educational and general welfare facilities for persons living in deprived areas

4. Law

a. a conveyance, usually to trustees, of property to be enjoyed by several persons in succession

b. the deed or other instrument conveying such property

c. the determination of a dispute, etc., by mutual agreement without resorting to legal proceedings

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settlement [′sed·əl·mənt]

(civil engineering)

The gradual downward movement of an engineering structure, due to compression of the soil below the foundation.

(geology)

The subsidence of surficial material (such as coastal sediments) due to compaction.

(mining engineering)

The gradual lowering of the overlying strata in a mine, due to extraction of the mined material.