Question

................... is a private arrangement of taking disputes to a less adversarial, less formal and more flexible forum and abiding by judgment of a selected person instead of carrying it to the established courts of justice.

• A. Arbitration
• B. Plea bargaining
• C. Ombudsman
• D. Lokayuktha

Hint:

Remember the key forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR):

\textbf{Arbitration:} A neutral third party decides the case (binding decision).
\textbf{Mediation:} A neutral third party helps the parties reach their own agreement (non-binding facilitation).
\textbf{Conciliation:} Similar to mediation, but the conciliator may suggest solutions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
The question describes a method of dispute resolution that is private, informal, flexible, and an alternative to going to court. The parties agree to have their dispute decided by a neutral third party (the arbitrator), and they agree to be bound by that decision (the award). This is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Step 2: Defining the Terms


(A) Arbitration: This is a procedure in which a dispute is submitted, by agreement of the parties, to one or more arbitrators who make a binding decision on the dispute. It is private, less formal than court, and the parties choose their decision-maker. This perfectly matches the description.

(B) Plea bargaining: A process in criminal law where the prosecutor and the defendant negotiate an agreement for the defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence. It is not for resolving general disputes.

(C) Ombudsman: An official appointed to investigate individuals' complaints against maladministration, especially that of public authorities. They investigate and recommend, but their decisions are not typically binding like an arbitrator's.

(D) Lokayuktha: A state-level anti-corruption ombudsman in India.


Step 3: Final Answer
The private arrangement for dispute resolution described in the question is Arbitration. Therefore, option (A) is the correct answer.