1,197 — Reaching a Legal Settlement

Sometimes you will get more money from resolving your problems without going to court. Learn how to do it in this episode.
Slow dialog: 1:26
Explanations: 3:36
Fast dialog: 16:44
Nadia: I’m not sure about this civil lawsuit. I don’t want a long trial.
Andre: Relax. This case will never go to trial. For disputes of this kind, neither party wants to fight it out in court, so we almost always reach a settlement.
Nadia: If we do go to court, the legal fees could skyrocket. I couldn’t afford that.
Andre: If we reach a settlement, you won’t have to worry too much about that.
Nadia: All right, but what if they don’t want to admit wrongdoing?
Andre: If we reach a settlement, they don’t need to. They’ll simply pay out.
Nadia: Even if they don’t admit it, at least I’ll be able to talk freely about it.
Andre: Well, that might be a problem. Many settlements require confidentiality – from both parties.
Nadia: You mean if I settle, I can’t talk about it?
Andre: If there is a confidentiality clause, you’d be in breach of contract if you discussed the settlement.
Nadia: I didn’t know that. You mean I can’t talk about what they did to me without getting my day in court?
Andre: That’s the long and short of it.
Nadia: I guess justice is blind – but only for the rich!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse