Arbitration
Etymology
From Latin arbitrari, "to judge, to give a decision," from arbiter, "a judge or eyewitness" — originally one who goes somewhere to observe and rule on a matter. The word keeps that core: a chosen decider stands in for a court. Modern commercial and employment contracts have made it a major alternative to public litigation.
noun · /ar-bih-TRAY-shun/
Settling a dispute by submitting it to a neutral third party whose decision the sides agree to accept, instead of going to court.
What it names
The private process buried in the fine print of many contracts, which quietly bars you from suing and sends disagreements to a paid arbitrator instead.
Example
The employment contract forced any pay dispute into private arbitration rather than open court.
Related idea
Arbitration resolves a dispute privately with a binding ruling; litigation fights it out publicly through the court system.