Code of Civil Procedure

This section limits confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements and bars courts from entering conflicting secrecy orders, but allows claimant-identity protection at the claimant’s request and allows settlement amounts to stay confidential. Settlement agreements for employment disputes generally cannot block an aggrieved person from getting future employment with the employer or related companies. A minor may disaffirm an enrollment-agreement term that makes the minor waive rights related to a criminal sexual assault or criminal sexual battery; the rest of the agreement stays valid. Settlement terms cannot bar disclosure of factual information in certain serious civil cases, and courts cannot enter conflicting gag orders. A written direction by a court or judge that is not part of a judgment is called an order, and an application for an order is called a motion.