out-of-court
Not before judge
Out-of-court describes settlements, agreements, or resolutions reached without going through a formal trial: They reached an out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed sum.
The term appears almost exclusively in legal contexts, where parties negotiate privately rather than having a judge or jury decide.
An out-of-court settlement often saves time and money but may include confidentiality requirements.
Discussion seeking mutual accord
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- arbitrationNon-court binding dispute resolution
- conciliationResolving disputes through dialogue
- bargainingNegotiating mutually acceptable terms
dialogue · talks · discussion · facilitation · ombudsman · neutral · third-party · good-faith
Restricted to certain parties
- sealedClosed to prevent entry
- undisclosedNot made known
- off-the-recordNot for attribution
- hush-hushHighly confidential matter
quiet · discreet · unpublicized · redacted · privileged · anonymous · unreported · secret
Shared position between parties
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- dealAgreement or distribution
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
accord · pact · stipulation · concession · terms · damages · compensation · payment
negotiation
Discussion seeking mutual accord
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- arbitrationNon-court binding dispute resolution
- conciliationResolving disputes through dialogue
bargaining · dialogue · talks · discussion · facilitation · ombudsman · neutral · third-party · good-faith · offer
private
Restricted to certain parties
- sealedClosed to prevent entry
- undisclosedNot made known
- off-the-recordNot for attribution
hush-hush · quiet · discreet · unpublicized · redacted · privileged · anonymous · unreported · secret
agreement
Shared position between parties
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- dealAgreement or distribution
arrangement · accord · pact · stipulation · concession · terms · damages · compensation · payment · severance
litigation
Legal dispute process
jury · verdict · discovery · deposition · subpoena · testimony · delays · appeals · precedent · publicity
- dispute resolutionmediation, mediating, arbitration, negotiating, conciliation
out-of-courtlitigated
Contested through courts
judicial · adjudicated · tried · court-ordered · courtroom
out-of-courtformal
Following strict protocol
official · public · procedural · documented
out, court, courts, courted, courting, courtship, courtly, courtier, courtiers