Settlement by the Parties Often, the Court's decision is not the best settlement. The best settlement is decided by the parties themselves through sincere effort. The Court encourages such settlement efforts between the Plaintiff and Defendant. If the Plaintiff and Defendant are able to reach a settlement of the dispute before trial, the parties should put the settlement agreement in writing, sign the agreement, and file it with the Clerk. The Court will then approve the settlement and enter the agreement as the judgement in the case. The Court has judgement forms available.