Consolidated Gas Supply Corp. v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

MURNAGHAN, Circuit Judge:

Despite a commonly displayed attitude that focuses on the role of persons sitting on the bench, ie., judges, arbitrators or agency adjudicators, those persons are by no means the only ones to take decisions in litigated matters. On the contrary, resolution is not infrequently accomplished by the party litigants themselves through agreement and settlement before, during or even after litigation. In the achievement of such settlement, the parties are, or should be, encouraged. For a long time it has been a commonplace of those charged with resolving disputes that…