Question

Vocab based- A process in which an independent person makes an official decision that ends a legal disagreement without the need for it to be solved in court.

Answer 1

Step 1 — Analyze the definition:
The process described is when an independent person (or panel) makes an official and binding decision to settle a legal disagreement. Importantly, this avoids the matter going through a formal court trial.

Step 2 — Identify the correct term:
This process is called Arbitration. It is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) where the parties in conflict agree to submit their dispute to an arbitrator, whose decision (known as an award) is legally binding.

Step 3 — Distinguish from similar terms:
- Mediation → A mediator helps parties reach an agreement but does not impose a binding decision.
- Conciliation → Similar to mediation, focused on improving communication between parties.
- Arbitration → Involves an independent arbitrator making a final decision, binding like a court judgment.

Step 4 — Conclude:
Thus, the correct term for this process is Arbitration.

Answer: The correct answer is Arbitration.

Answer 2

This can be solved by checking each candidate term against three defining features of the process described, rather than only recalling one definition.

1. Mediation: A mediator only helps the two sides talk and reach their own agreement but cannot hand down a binding decision, so this fails the requirement of an official decision that ends the dispute.
2. Conciliation: Like mediation, a conciliator focuses on repairing communication between the parties and does not issue a binding ruling, so this also fails the same requirement.
3. Litigation: This process happens inside a formal court, which directly contradicts the requirement that the matter be settled without going to court.
4. Arbitration: An arbitrator is an independent person who hears both sides and hands down an official, binding decision, called an award, entirely outside the court system, matching every part of the description.

Checking each term against the three features named in the description, an independent decision-maker, a binding outcome, and no court involvement, only one term satisfies all three.

Hence, the correct answer is Arbitration.