A meeting of the parties in a forum to encourage resolution, or force a resolution, without entering into litigation

• A. Assignment
• B. Mediation
• C. Mini-trial
• D. Insured Plan

Answer: (B)

Resolving disputes without going to court through a neutral facilitator. In mediation, a neutral mediator guides the discussion, helps the parties clarify issues, and explores possible solutions, but cannot impose a decision—the parties themselves choose the outcome. This setup matches the idea of bringing parties together in a forum to encourage or reach a resolution without litigation, emphasizing voluntary settlement and cost/time savings. The other options don't fit: assignment involves transferring rights, a mini-trial is a brief, non-binding simulated trial to preview issues, and an insured plan is unrelated to dispute resolution.