Master Advanced Legal Research 2026 – Unleash Your Inner Legal Eagle!

Offers to settle and the negotiations surrounding them are governed by Rule 408. This rule generally bars admitting offers to compromise or any statements made during compromise negotiations to prove liability for a claim, or the amount of damages. The aim is to encourage candid settlement talks by keeping those discussions confidential and not used as evidence of fault or value.

There are limited exceptions where such evidence might be admitted for other purposes, such as showing bias, prejudice, or negating a claim of undue delay, but not to prove liability or damages.

Other rules cover different topics: one addresses statements made during criminal plea negotiations, another bars admission of evidence that a party has liability insurance, and another concerns offers to pay medical expenses.