
What is a settlement agreement?
Home / Legal Info / What is a Settlement Agreement? A settlement agreement is a type of legal contract that helps to resolve disputes among parties by coming to a mutual agreement on the terms. Primarily used in civil law matters, the settlement agreement acts as a legally binding contract.
Is the family settlement deed valid in India?
According to Section 17 of the Indian Registration Act, a family settlement that purports to assign immovable property must be mandatorily registered or the deed would be invalid. Stamp duty shall be levied on the agreement based on the value of the property.
How does a family settlement agreement resolve a family dispute?
Some also try amicably resolving issues through a family settlement agreement which shows how the family members have agreed upon the property’s distribution among the heirs or beneficiaries. What is a family settlement agreement? Some families may want to settle property related disputes out of court.
Is a settlement agreement a form of arbitral award?
Therefore, the Courts have not hesitated or disputed in giving finality to the terms of a settlement agreement, like an arbitral award, as under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. A settlement agreement is an agreement drawn out by a conciliator, when he sees that there is possibility of amicable compromise between the parties.

What is the purpose of a settlement agreement?
A settlement agreement is a type of legal contract that helps to resolve disputes among parties by coming to a mutual agreement on the terms. Primarily used in civil law matters, the settlement agreement acts as a legally binding contract. Both parties agree to the judgment's outcome in advance.
What happens in a settlement agreement?
A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract between two parties that is meant to resolve disputes or streamline legal issues. When people think about settlement agreements, the first thing that comes to mind is often separation agreements between divorcing or separating spouses.
How is a settlement agreement enforced in India?
In cases of settlements in court-annexed mediations, the settlement is enforced through the courts as the court passes an order or decree in terms of the written settlement.
What is difference between agreement and settlement?
Thus in industrial relations context, an agreement if settles any dispute or difference,culminates into settlement and thus part & parcel of a settlement and therefore there cannot be a settlement without an agreement between the parties. Of course mere agreement is not settlement.
Do I have to accept a settlement agreement?
Do I have to accept a settlement agreement offered? The short answer is no, you do not have to sign a settlement agreement.
How is settlement money divided?
The percentage of the settlement or judgment that attorneys charge does vary slightly, usually between 25% to 50%, depending on the type of case being handled.
Can settlement be challenged?
While a duly executed family settlement cannot be revoked, except by a court decree, it can be challenged in a court of law under the following circumstances. Any misrepresentation of facts regarding the title of the disputed property, too, can lead to future altercations. Improper execution.
Can a settlement agreement be changed after signing?
Once an agreement is signed, it becomes legally binding on both parties and cannot be altered without agreement on both sides, usually in writing. A settlement agreement may be withdrawn at any point before it is signed. This is most likely to be the case when circumstances change before signature.
Is stamp duty payable on settlement agreement?
Delhi High Court held that family settlements are not required to be compulsorily registered, and stamp duty is not required to be compulsorily paid in respect of the same, when the settlement has been arrived at initially as an oral partition and is thereafter put into writing for the purpose of information.
How do you void a settlement agreement?
You can overturn a settlement agreement by demonstrating that the settlement is defective. A settlement agreement may be invalid if it's made under fraud or duress. A mutual mistake or a misrepresentation by the other party can also be grounds to overturn a settlement agreement.
What should I ask for in a settlement agreement?
8 Questions to Ask if You've Been Offered a Settlement AgreementIs the price right? ... How much will I pay for legal advice? ... Have I been offered a reference? ... How much time would legal action take? ... Are there any restrictive covenants in your agreement? ... Do I have to pay tax on my agreement?More items...
Is a settlement agreement a deed?
A settlement deed is a legally binding contract that, as the name suggests, settles claims regarding a dispute between two parties in a severed contractual arrangement.
What should I ask for in a settlement agreement?
8 Questions to Ask if You've Been Offered a Settlement AgreementIs the price right? ... How much will I pay for legal advice? ... Have I been offered a reference? ... How much time would legal action take? ... Are there any restrictive covenants in your agreement? ... Do I have to pay tax on my agreement?More items...
How does the settlement process work?
A settlement agreement works by the parties coming to terms on a resolution of the case. The parties agree on exactly what the outcome is going to be. They put the agreement in writing, and both parties sign it. Then, the settlement agreement has the same effect as though the jury decided the case with that outcome.
What is a reasonable settlement agreement?
By Ben Power 8 April 2022. A settlement agreement is a contract between two parties, usually (but not always) an employer and an employee, which settles the employee's claims against their employer.
What does it mean to execute a settlement agreement?
A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract that outlines the resolution to a dispute. After negotiations but prior to a final judgement, parties can come to a mutual agreement to an outcome for the case and enter a legally binding settlement agreement.
What is a partition deed agreement?
The agreement must mention names of all the family members whose decision matters in this regard, details of ownership of the property and the specific terms of this distribution of the said property. It is recommended that you include all the details of the property with house number, area and even a site map if possible.
Can a family settle a dispute out of court?
Some families may want to settle property related disputes out of court. To this effect, they may go in for a family settlement agreement which needs to be signed by all the members acknowledging that this agreement wasn’t made through fraudulent means, force and coercion from any family member.
Is a family settlement agreement a gift?
A family settlement agreement is useful given that it an amicable resolution among parties and does not take as much time as a court of law. Do note that transfer of property or assets under this agreement is not to be considered as a gift and is neither a transfer of right.
Can a family settlement be estoppel?
Suppose your family settlement agreement is not registered, it can still act as an estoppel. Estoppel is that which prevents a person from asserting something that is contrary to what he/she had implied previously orally or in written. However, you will need to register an agreement if it causes change in legal rights of the family members. In the Tek Bahadur versus Debi Singh and Others case, the court had considered the validity of a family settlement deed. It upheld the validity of an oral family settlement and ruled that registration is required only when it is written.
What is settlement agreement?
A settlement agreement is an agreement drawn out by a conciliator, when he sees that there is possibility of amicable compromise between the parties. A conciliator assists the parties to amicably settle the disputes between them. The conciliator, on the basis of his notings during the conciliation proceedings and also on the basis ...
What is settlement in court?
A settlement between the disputing parties is a much needed resort in the modern day commercial world. A settlement ensures that the disputes between the parties end in amicable terms leaving each party satisfied. In turn, outside Court settlement procedures like conciliation ensure fewer burdens on the Courts and also lessen the costs ...
When does a settlement take shape?
The settlement takes shape only when the parties draw up the settlement agreement or request the conciliator to prepare the same and affix their signatures to it. Under sub-section (3) of Section 73 the settlement agreement signed by the parties is final and binding on the parties and persons claiming under them.
When does a settlement reach finality?
The settlement reaches finality only when the settlement agreement is signed by both/all the parties in the dispute. Then such settlement agreement can have the legal sanctity of an arbitration award under Section 74 of the Act. The relevant portion of the judgement has been extracted herein:
Who draws up the terms of a settlement agreement?
The conciliator, on the basis of his notings during the conciliation proceedings and also on the basis of the written statements and the documentary evidence of the parties, draws up the terms of settlement agreement. The same is then forwarded to the parties for their comments, if any, and if necessary a reformulated settlement agreement is ...
Is a settlement agreement stamped as an arbitral award?
In other words, the settlement agreement can be enforced as an arbitral award and it is not necessary for a party to institute fresh proceedings for obtaining a decree in terms thereof. However, it does not mean that the settlement agreement ceases to be an agreement voluntarily entered into between the parties and becomes an arbitral award; it merely has the status and effect of an award under the Act. The settlement agreement continues to be an agreement and would require to be stamped as such ."
What is settlement agreement?
Settlement Agreement is a document which evidences the agreement between the parties therein binding the parties to a settlement to adhere to the terms and conditions agreed as a result of negotiation between the parties. Same like other contracts, the agreement need not always be in written format but however, ...
What are the conditions of a proper settlement agreement?
Certain conditions have to be fulfilled by the parties for a proper settlement agreement. The agreement must be in writing. The agreement must relate to a certain subject matter. The employee shall have been advised on the agreement. The adviser must be identified in the agreement.
What is the purpose of an arbitral tribunal?
Both counsel and the arbitral tribunal shall carefully examine documents to determine whether a settlement agreement can be smoothly converted into an effective consent award and protect the rights and interests of the parties at the extreme.
How many witnesses are needed to sign a settlement agreement?
A settlement agreement may also be signed by 2 witnesses although not necessary. After the signing of the agreement by the parties, the parties shall register the agreement if the subject matter of settlement is immovable property.
How does a family settlement work?
The family members mutually work out and distribute the property among themselves by agreeing to a Family Settlement Deed. It is an out of court settlement to which the court agrees. There is always a discretionary power available with the court. Using this discretionary power the Court can anytime declare the agreement null and void if there is presumptive essence of fraud or coercion.
What is required before finalization of a settlement agreement?
Parties require the approval of a judge before finalization of a settlement agreement if in case parties are incapable or have an incapacity to entering into an agreement. In the Criminal and Anti-trust matters, requirements of a valid contract shall be met as it affects the large public. The real understanding of the parties shall be covered in ...
What is collective bargaining agreement?
Collective bargaining agreement is enforced under Section 18 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, as a settlement arrived between the workers and the employers. Under Section 18 (1) of Industrial Dispute Act, 1947, a settlement arrived at by an agreement between the employer and workmen otherwise than in the course of conciliation proceedings are ...
When to Enter Into Settlement Agreement?
One may enter into settlement agreement before filing divorce petition or once divorcee has been finalized. But it is advisable to go for settlement agreement as soon as possible as the sooner you settle the issue; the better it is to avoid any unavoidable and any unnecessary turmoil and issues.
What if One Composes The Settlement Before Moving To Court?
One can go for settlement agreement before even moving to court, where the settlement agreement is drafted and executed with the help of an attorney or mediator. If that agreement once signed and executed that would be a binding contract and both the parties are constraint to bind by the agreement and follow the terms and conditions of agreement. Once agreement is signed both the parties can move to court for filing Divorce Petition, if Presiding officer find the agreement fair, then the terms of agreement be assimilate to the final divorce decree that becomes binding for both the parties. If any party is not agreed with any provision or term of agreement, then the final call is on presiding officer whose decision would be final.
What is the Meaning of Divorce Papers?
Generally term Divorce papers refers to a Divorcee Settlement Agreement which is an arrangement/consensus reached between both the parties who seek uncontested divorces vide mutual understanding. It is generally being defined as financial or business proceedings between two parties who seeks divorcee to divide property, assets or any other debts of a marriage. It also defines the rights of both parties, and settles issues related to child custody, alimony or other issues, if any.
What is settlement deed?
Settlement deed in terms of immovable property like land/building, is a legal document wherein parties settle their differences or disputes. Legal Definition states Settlement is a disposition of property/properties – whether movable or immovable, as per the choice of the owner of the said property/properties. A settlement deed for it to be valid has to be brought down in writing and has to be registered. Usually the nature of disputes settled through a settlement deed are court cases, property division, payments settlement. A settlement deed between members of a family is a family settlement deed, and most often it is related to the division of property. Settlement deed is a legally enforceable document and has to be registered. Only those properties can be settled which have been self-acquired (properties inherited and received through family partition are also considered self-acquired properties).
What is the name of the party that executes a settlement?
The party executing the settlement (executants) is called the Settlor and the claimant (beneficiary) is called the Settlee. A settlement deed can be conditional or unconditional (absolute). In case of conditional – the settlor can impose certain conditions which the Settlee has to observe/follow such as pay certain amount ...
What documents are required for a settlement deed?
Along with the settlement deed the following have to be presented at the Concerned Sub-Registrar’s office – a few of the other documents required are the title document (parent document and Patta) in original, Encumbrance certificate of the property (till the date of the registration), ID proof, Aadhaar proof of the parties – this list is not exhaustive and varies on a case-to-case basis depending on the property settled and the conditions contained therein the settlement deed.
What is a family member in India?
Note: The definition of family member varies from state to state in India – but usually – family member consists of mother, spouse, son, daughter, grand children, wife of pre-deceased son. In Tamilnadu – family member includes includes father, mother, husband, wife, son, daughter,brother,sister and grand child. The relationship should be traced from the owner of the property prior to transaction. (source: http://www.tnreginet.net/english/faq.asp)
Is love considered consideration in a settlement?
In case of settlements, consideration is not as direct as in the case of sale. Love and affection can be considered as Consideration for property settled by a Settlor to a Settlee (Settlee may be a family member or even non-relative). Settlee can even be for Charitable or Religious Trust – wherein mental satisfaction is the Consideration, even marriage is consideration for a settlement.
Is gift the same as settlement?
Gift and Settlement are often used interchangeably – however they are not the same.
Is a settlement deed enforceable?
Settlement deed is a legally enforceable document and has to be registered. Only those properties can be settled which have been self-acquired (properties inherited and received through family partition are also considered self-acquired properties).
