When the landowner does not accept the condemning authority’s initial offer, the case may be filed with the Court.  After the case is filed with the Court, the condemning agency and the landowner’s attorney may continue to negotiate directly with each other, or may participate in a Mediation in an attempt to settle the case without a formal trial.  If the case is not settled before trial, the case is usually tried to a jury, and the jury determines the compensation that the agency must pay to the landowner.