Are offers of compromise admissible in court to prove the validity of a claim?

Offers of compromise are generally inadmissible in court when it comes to proving the validity of a claim. This principle is grounded in public policy, which encourages parties to settle disputes without litigation. By protecting such offers from being presented in court, the law promotes candid and open negotiation between disputing parties. The rationale is that if parties know their offers to settle can be used against them in court, they may be less willing to engage in settlement discussions, which can lead to increased litigation and court congestion.

The rule is expressed under California Evidence Code Section 1152, which specifically states that offers of compromise cannot be admitted to prove the validity of the claim. This means that regardless of the context—whether made during negotiations or in formal communications—these offers retain their inadmissibility for proving the underlying merit of a case. This principle aims to foster conditions conducive to settlement and resolution outside of the courtroom.