settlement of action

The voluntary conclusion of civil litigation by agreement of the parties. Settlement may be made at any time and is usually followed by the plaintiff filing a *notice of discontinuance. No particular formality must be followed, but if money is claimed by a party under a disability (e.g. a minor or a mental patient), a settlement is not valid (in so far as it relates to his claim) without the approval of the court. See also *Tomlin order.