If a compromise is agreed to in a case in which the United States has filed suit, dismissal of the suit with prejudice is all that is required to evidence the settlement. If the settlement is to be paid in installments, judgment may be entered, with the defendant's permission, as security for the deferred installments. However, if this procedure has not been agreed upon as part of the compromise arrangement, and it is necessary to dismiss the suit, the dismissal should be without prejudice. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a). Tort suits brought on behalf of the United States should not be dismissed in such circumstances without a written waiver of limitations, since partial payments do not toll the running of the statute of limitations.

[updated April 2018]