Our court system is a bedrock of our society. It is a place where people come to resolve differences and disputes, seek redress and recourse for wrongdoing and request assistance and remedy in a myriad of circumstances and situations. The expectation is that all matters before the court will be handled fairly, impartially, safely, and promptly. In order to preserve confidence in our court system, it is imperative that cases not languish and are resolved without unnecessary and protracted litigation.

Statistics and experience tell us that the lion’s share of all civil cases filed will result in a settlement, without a trial, via a negotiated disposition among and between the parties which is then approved and endorsed by the court. Hence, settlement is inevitable! Knowing this fact, where feasible, cases should be resolved at the earliest possible time in the litigation. In the words of President Abraham Lincoln, “A good settlement is better than a good lawsuit.”