Lets Make A Deal: Understanding The Negotiating Process

Americans have a long-standing reputation for relying upon the legal system to deal with all manner of problems and issues; litigiousness is often seen as an American disease. Yet 99% of legal cases started in the courts never even make it through the courthouse door, because formal court action is never initiated. Instead, participants reach an out-of-court settlement. What does this dominance of negotiated settlement over adjudication mean? Has “Equal Justice Under Law” given way to “Let’...