In a multi-party civil action concerning alleged paint failure and corrosion losses, the appellant entered into Pierringer Agreements with some defendants and disclosed all non-financial terms but withheld settlement amounts.
The non-settling defendants sought pre-trial disclosure of those amounts.
The Court held settlement privilege protects the content of successful settlement negotiations, including negotiated amounts, absent a demonstrated countervailing public interest that outweighs settlement policy.
The asserted litigation and tactical interests did not establish tangible prejudice sufficient to justify an exception.
The appeal was allowed and confidentiality of settlement amounts was maintained.
