Dominion-Fox News updates: Settlement reached for $787.5 million

A settlement has been reached in Dominion Voting Systems' defamation lawsuit against Fox News, Judge Eric Davis has announced in the courtroom.

"The parties have resolved their case," the judge said.

"We wish to express our deepest appreciation" to the court, a Dominion attorney told the judge.

Davis commended both teams, saying, "I've been on the bench since 2010 ... and I think this is the best lawyering I've had, ever."

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed before court was adjourned.

A press conference was expected to follow.

Opening statements were scheduled to get underway at 1:30 p.m. ET, but have yet to begin.

No word has been provided regarding the cause of the delay.

Neither Judge Eric Davis nor the jury are in the courtroom during the delay.

After sanctioning Fox News last week for a delay in turning over evidence, Judge Eric Davis has now officially authorized a special master to investigate Fox News' potential "discovery issues," according to a new order from the judge.

The order comes just before opening arguments in the case are scheduled to begin.

According to the order, the investigation by the special master will "include a determination" of whether Fox News and Fox Corp "complied with their discovery obligations."

The special master, who was previously appointed to oversee discovery in the case, is now "further authorized and empowered" to look into multiple declarations made by Fox attorneys in the case, the order says.

In his initial instructions to the jury, Judge Eric Davis told jurors not to talk amongst themselves or discuss the case with family or friends.

"You have to fight human nature. This is the hardest thing you'll have to do during the trial," Davis said. "You have to refrain from talking about the case with your fellow jurors or a third party."

The judge also reminded the jurors that they are not Dick Tracy.

"Do not do any detective work," he said. "You cannot do any independent research about this case."

Davis told jurors they can bring water or some other beverage into the courtroom, provided it has a cap or lid.

"You can bring some type of drink," Davis said, jokingly adding, "non-alcoholic."

The trial is expected to last about six weeks.