The CIV-090 form becomes pertinent during the settlement phase of a civil lawsuit, where parties seek resolution outside of court. Usually, this form is used after discovery, where both parties have exchanged information, and potentially after a pre-trial conference, which sometimes motivates parties to settle. The form is specifically used when parties desire to compromise under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 998. - Discovery Completion: After exchanging information and evidence, parties may feel settlement is preferable to a trial. - Pre-Trial Motions: When pre-trial motions reveal the strength or weakness of a case, it might prompt a settlement offer. - Settlement Conferences: Formal discussions aimed at settling the case can trigger the use of this form. Thus, CIV-090 serves as a formal mechanism to present a settlement offer, with the strategic goal of avoiding the uncertainty and expenses of trial. It's a step for parties who have weighed the litigation risks and costs and see settlement as a preferable alternative.