What is a settlement conference?

A settlement conference is a meeting between the opposing parties in an accident case. It is typically held after the initial legal steps have been taken in a lawsuit and before a trial takes place. In Washington, settlement conferences are conducted by a judge or a mediator—a neutral third party—who is invited to help the parties reach a voluntary agreement. During the conference, each side will present the facts of the case and their respective points of view. The goal is to encourage the parties to come to an agreement before the case goes to trial. During the conference, the mediator will not decide the outcome of the case, but instead will assist the parties in finding common ground. Once an agreement is reached, a Settlement Agreement is signed by both parties and the case is completed without going to trial. Settlement conferences are beneficial for both parties, as they save time, money, and energy that would have been spent on a trial.

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What is a settlement conference?

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