California Government Code 962 – Upon entry of a verdict against a public entity in excess of one …
Upon entry of a verdict against a public entity in excess of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in an action for personal injury or wrongful death, the public entity may, within the time set in § 659 of the Code of Civil Procedure, request in writing a mandatory settlement conference for the purpose of discussing available methods by which the judgment shall be satisfied. The court shall then set a date for the conference. The request may be noticed with any motions pursuant to Sections 984 and 985 of the Government Code or § 659 of the Code of Civil Procedure. At the conference the parties shall negotiate in good faith and shall review and consider structured payment plans presented by either party. The conference shall not occur until after determination of any motion for a new trial, motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, motion for remittitur and motion for additur, but shall occur before hearing on any motions pursuant to Sections 984 and 985.
The Judicial Council shall adopt rules providing for a reasonable extension of the time for filing the notice of appeal from a judgment on the verdict to permit a request for the mandatory settlement conference and the mandatory settlement conference itself.
Terms Used In California Government Code 962
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
(Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 1204, Sec. 2.)