In legal disputes, what does “negotiation” involve?

Negotiation involves direct communication between parties to reach an agreement. This process is typically informal and allows the involved parties to discuss their differing viewpoints, interests, and priorities in order to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution. Negotiation is often the first step in resolving legal disputes before considering more formal procedures like mediation or litigation.

In this context, the other options focus on different legal mechanisms: a formal court-ordered settlement pertains to judicial decisions, arbitration involves third-party facilitation in dispute resolution, and filing motions refers to formal requests made within court proceedings. None of these alternatives accurately describe the collaborative and direct nature of negotiation.