What is a 'Stipulation'?
A formal agreement between the parties in a lawsuit.
A stipulation is a formal agreement between the attorneys for both sides about some aspect of the case. Stipulations are common and are used to make the legal process more efficient.
Why it matters to you
Lawsuits involve many small procedural questions, like deadlines and scheduling, that would waste everyone's time and money if they all had to be fought over in court. Stipulations let the attorneys agree on routine matters so the case keeps moving.
If you see a stipulation filed in your case, it usually means the lawyers cooperated on something ordinary. It does not mean we are giving anything up on the merits of your claims. We will always tell you if an agreement affects anything substantive in your case.
An example from an employment case
Suppose the employer's attorney asks for two extra weeks to respond to our document requests because a records custodian is on vacation. Rather than involve the judge, the attorneys sign a stipulation extending the deadline. The parties might also stipulate that a basic fact, like your dates of employment, is not in dispute, so no one has to prove it at trial.
Every case is different. Ask your legal team how this applies to yours.
Related terms
Motion, Protective Order, Settlement Agreement
Still have questions? Your legal team is happy to help. Message us through the client portal or call the office, and we will point you to the right person.