Civil actions: entry of judgment: written stipulation.

Existing law authorizes a court, upon motion, to enter a judgment in pending litigation pursuant to the terms of a settlement if the parties to the litigation stipulate to settle the litigation outside of the presence of the court in a writing that is signed by the parties. This bill would provide that the writing may also be signed by an attorney who represents a party, or, if a party is an insurer, an agent who is authorized in writing by the insurer to sign on the insurer's behalf, except as specified. The bill would provide that an attorney who signs the writing on behalf of a party without express authorization to do so shall, absent good cause, be subject to professional discipline.