New Brunswick doctors and the provincial government have reached a settlement in principle in their dispute over a threatened wage freeze.

In a joint statement Tuesday, the province and the New Brunswick Medical Society said they are encouraged by what has been achieved since a decision was made to delay a scheduled Sept. 16 court hearing date.

The doctors launched legal action after the government threatened to impose a two-year wage freeze.

That came after the medical society reached a tentative agreement with the province that was never implemented, but was ratified by the doctors.

Both sides have agreed not to comment further until a deal is finalized in about four weeks.