What kind of agreement is typically associated with a legal dispute being settled before the court proceedings?

A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract that is typically used to resolve a dispute between parties without the need for court proceedings. It outlines the terms that both parties have agreed upon to settle their differences, which can include financial compensation, changes in behavior, or other remedies. The primary purpose of a settlement agreement is to avoid the costs, time, and uncertainty associated with a trial. By coming to an agreement prior to going to court, the parties can ensure that the matter is resolved in a manner that is satisfactory to both, in a private setting rather than in a public courtroom.

Other types of agreements mentioned, such as consent agreements, pre-trial agreements, or judgment agreements, do not specifically address the scenario of settling disputes outside of court in the same comprehensive manner as a settlement agreement. For example, while a consent agreement might involve some form of mutual consent to terms, it doesn’t necessarily encapsulate the full settlement process and the underlying negotiation involved in resolving disputes. Similarly, pre-trial agreements often address procedural issues before a trial starts rather than resolving the dispute itself. A judgment agreement, on the other hand, typically relates to the outcomes of a trial and does not pertain to pre-trial settlement discussions. Therefore, the settlement agreement is