Which concept involves settling a dispute without resorting to litigation?

The concept that involves settling a dispute without resorting to litigation is negotiation. Negotiation refers to the process where parties engage in discussions and dialogue to reach an agreement or settlement on their own terms, effectively avoiding formal legal proceedings. This method is often preferable because it can save time, costs, and preserve relationships between the parties involved.

While accord and satisfaction is a related term, it specifically refers to a contractual agreement that settles a dispute once the parties have reached a new agreement regarding a previously disputed obligation. It is a form of settlement but is distinct from the broader process of negotiation, which doesn't require a pre-existing dispute to reach an agreement.

Litigation is the process of taking legal action in court, which is the opposite of settling a dispute outside of the legal system. Arbitration, while a form of alternative dispute resolution like negotiation, involves a neutral third party making a binding decision on the dispute. Therefore, negotiation stands out as the most direct method of resolving conflicts without entering the litigation process.