Parties reduce an agreement to writing and submit it for the court's signature, converting the private agreement into a court order enforceable through the contempt power.
Common subjects include scheduling, discovery scope, protective orders, and dismissals.
Alternative Names:
Stipulated Order, Agreed Order
Why it Matters?
Entry as an order is what distinguishes this from a private agreement, since breach becomes a matter for the court rather than a separate contract claim. That is why extensions and discovery agreements are worth submitting rather than exchanging by letter. Courts are not obligated to enter a stipulation, and some reject those that would extend deadlines beyond the court's own schedule.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Why submit an agreement as an order?
Will courts always enter a stipulation?
