A court, rendering a judgment for the plaintiff in a proceeding brought under section 42A-1-29 N.M. Stat. Ann. awarding compensation for the actual physical taking of the property by the displacing agency, or the agency effecting a settlement of any such proceeding, shall, when required by federal law or by a federal grant contract governing the project or program, determine and award or allow to the plaintiff as a part of the judgment or settlement a sum which will reimburse the plaintiff for his reasonable costs, disbursements and expenses, including reasonable attorney, appraisal and engineering fees actually incurred because of the proceeding.

Terms Used In New Mexico Statutes 42-3-10

  • Appraisal: A determination of property value.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.