Settlement Offer Review Checklist

When It Applies

Not For

• Deciding whether a settlement is good, drafting settlement terms, admitting liability, or signing a release without tailored legal advice.

Documents

• Settlement offer
• Counter-offers
• Court papers
• Demand letters
• Contract
• Invoices
• Proof of loss
• Payment history
• Legal cost notes
• Mediation notes
• Question list

Timeline

• Immediately: identify offer source, expiry date, and what is being settled.
• Before review: collect offer chain, claim records, and cost records.
• During review: confirm release, costs, payment, default, and confidentiality terms.
• Afterwards: save final versions and calendar compliance dates.

Tips

• Do not sign unclear release wording.
• Separate settlement amount from legal costs and disbursements.
• Ask what happens if payment is late.
• Keep every version of the offer chain.

Warning Signs

• The response deadline is close.
• The offer includes broad release, confidentiality, admission, cost, or default wording.
• Payment is by instalments or depends on third-party action.
• A court date, order, mediation, employment, property, or family-law step is affected.