Legal Definitions - consent order

A consent order, also known as a consent decree, is a legal agreement made between two parties with the approval of a judge. It is not a judgment, but rather a settlement agreement that is approved by the court. Once approved, the agreement is binding and enforceable on both parties.

One example of a consent order is when a government agency sues a company for violating a law or regulation. If the company agrees to stop the illegal conduct, the government may agree not to pursue the case further. The court then approves and issues a consent order, which requires the company to comply with the terms of the agreement.

Another example is when two parties in a civil lawsuit reach a settlement agreement. They can submit the agreement to the court as a consent order, which makes the agreement legally binding and enforceable.

These examples illustrate how a consent order is a way for parties to resolve legal disputes without going to trial. It allows them to come to an agreement that is approved by the court and enforceable by law.