§ 1154 Settlement Negotiation Evidence Rule

Evidence Code·California

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Key Takeaways

•If someone tries to pay you or you try to pay them to settle a problem, that can't be used later to say the problem wasn't real.
•Talking about paying or getting paid to fix something doesn't mean the problem wasn't important.
•This rule is about keeping talks about money or deals private when trying to solve a problem.

Example

You get into a car crash, and the other driver offers you $500 to not tell the insurance company. Later, they can't say the crash wasn't their fault just because they tried to pay you.

The law says that offering or taking money to settle the crash doesn't mean the crash didn't happen or wasn't their fault.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 1154 Settlement Negotiation Evidence Rule

Evidence that a person has accepted or offered or promised to accept a sum of money or any other thing, act, or service in satisfaction of a claim, as well as any conduct or statements made in negotiation thereof, is inadmissible to prove the invalidity of the claim or any part of it. (Enacted by Stats. 1965, Ch. 299.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

inadmissible invalidity of the claim negotiation

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Evidence Code. Section 1154.

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

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