What type of legal action can lead to a punishment for non-compliance with a court order?

In the legal context, the term for a situation where a party fails to comply with a court order is known as "contempt." When a person or entity is found in contempt of court, it signifies that they have disobeyed or shown disrespect for a court’s authority or its orders. This can lead to various consequences, including fines, imprisonment, or other sanctions intended to compel compliance or punish the non-compliant behavior.

The other choices reflect different legal concepts that do not directly align with the notion of punishment for non-compliance. For instance, "mandamus" is a specific type of court order compelling an official or entity to perform a duty that is legally obligated; it does not itself provide a method for punishing non-compliance. "Litigation" refers broadly to the process of taking legal action or resolving disputes through the court system, while "arbitration" is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism that involves a neutral third party making a binding decision, rather than enforcing court orders directly. Thus, "contempt" is uniquely positioned as the mechanism for enforcing compliance with court mandates.