Abstract
Settlement (compromise) agreement expresses a different approach compared to litigation in the resolution of disputes between individuals. The realization of settlement during the litigation process is a matter of procedural law. The parties can make a settlement agreement outside the trial, and in this case, it constitutes a matter of substantive law. It is possible to see the traces of settlement in Islamic law in the texts. From the verse that peace is better, we understand that settlement is prioritized as a solution method for conflicts. Hz. Omar also emphasized the importance of settlement. A settlement agreement is the parties giving up the right and the lawsuit in exchange for a price in order to settle the dispute. It is regulated in Majalla as a contract formed by the will of the parties. The existence of a judiciary and courts in a law-abiding state is a fundamental issue. However, judicial processes sometimes cause a tiring process for the parties. For this reason, throughout the historical process, the judges, the notables of the region, and the relatives of the person invited the parties to the settlement agreement. The prevalence of settlement is understood from the records of the peace in the qadi registers. The prevalence of settlement is understood from the kādī records. Especially in the sales contract, trade, family law disputes, and in criminal cases concerning personal rights, many settlements have been applied.
A settlement agreement can be confused with some legal proceedings similar to it. However, they differ from them in many respects. In this context, release agreement, waiver and arbitration can be mentioned. The settlement agreement is subject to the agreement most similar to itself in terms of subject and cost. These are according to the situation; sales, rent, exchange, loan for use, and gift. The price in the sales agreement and the ones that are permissible in the lease agreement can be the settlement price. It can be cash or deferred by the conditions that make it necessary not to fall into interest. The subject matter of settlement may be movable and immovable or a debt. Mostly, disputes in the field of obligations law, real rights, family, and inheritance emerge as matters of settlement. During the trial, it is possible for the judge to refer to the settlement.
Many disputes have been resolved through people called muslihūn, who direct the parties to a settlement agreement other than the judge. The decision of the judge is not necessarily required for their binding. Muslihūn actually acts as an intermediary and makes an important contribution to the negotiations and formation of the consent of the parties. As such, they stand very close to the voluntary mediation system in today's positive law. If the judge sees a situation that is suitable for an amicable settlement or if he thinks that the case will increase the enmity between the parties, directs. Out-of-court settlement agreements have their results in terms of substantive law. It is possible to prove the disputes that may arise later with witnesses. There are three basic types of peace in terms of their nature. The first is the settlement agreement made with the acceptance of the debt. This is called a settlement upon admission. On the other, the defendant's denial is in question. This settlement is called the settlement on denial. The last one is the settlement agreement concluded on the silence of the debtor.
With the settlement agreement, the existing legal relationship changes its nature. Problems in applying to the court and transportation, as well as local reconciliation interventions can be counted among the general reasons for applying to settlement. It should also be added that a settlement agreement is less costly and flexible. An in-court settlement agreement now has the ability to enforce a court decision. If it is not with the consent of the parties, it is realized by the executive authorities of the state. The defendant has responsibility for the compensation and the defect on the settlement subject. The existence of the option right (al-khiyar) makes it possible to terminate the settlement agreement. The settlement made in this way is actually a non-binding contract. In case the subject of the settlement and the price is real estate, preemption right occurs within the framework of the newly established legal situation together with the settlement agreement. The settlement agreement on the property also binds the heirs. Rental contracts do not have this feature. In Turkish law, besides settlement agreement, mediation and conciliation accepted as alternative dispute resolution and took their place in the legal order. Mediation is a resolution method for disputes concerning private law.