What does the term "arbitration" refer to?

The term "arbitration" refers to a private dispute resolution process where an arbitrator, who is typically a neutral third party, makes a binding decision to resolve a conflict between the parties involved. This process is often chosen as an alternative to litigation because it can be more efficient, flexible, and less formal than going through the court system. In arbitration, both parties agree to submit their disagreements to the arbitrator, and the resulting decision, known as an award, is usually enforceable in court and has the same effect as a court judgment.

The other options do not accurately describe arbitration. A public court hearing refers to litigation in the public judicial system, which contrasts with the private nature of arbitration. Witness testimony is a crucial component of trials and legal proceedings but is not synonymous with arbitration itself. Similarly, a formal appeal to a higher court pertains to the judicial process of challenging a lower court's decision, which is unrelated to how arbitration functions.