Paula Abdul says her sexual assault case towards Nigel Lythgoe has ended, and “efficiently” so — the two former “American Idol” coworkers have reached a settlement.

In response to court docket docs, they settled the case earlier this week and filed discover with L.A. County Superior Courtroom. Their subsequent step will likely be submitting to dismiss the matter … which had been scheduled to go to trial subsequent 12 months.

TMZ broke the story … Paula sued Nigel final December, claiming he had sexually assaulted her twice — as soon as throughout their tenure at ‘Idol,’ when she alleged he had forcibly kissed and grabbed her genitals. She claimed the 2nd incident occurred once they have been doing “So You Assume You Can Dance” collectively.

Nigel had denied all of the allegations, and produced textual content messages and emails between the 2 — which he stated confirmed they’d a really pleasant and loving relationship for years … even after the alleged incidents.

It is unclear if cash exchanged palms as a part of the settlement, however Paula’s assertion signifies she’s glad with the phrases. Paula tells TMZ …”I’m grateful this chapter has efficiently come to an in depth and is now one thing I can now put behind me. This has been a protracted and hard-fought private battle. I hope my expertise can serve to encourage different girls, dealing with comparable struggles, to beat their very own challenges with dignity and respect, in order that they can also flip the web page and start a brand new chapter of their lives.”