What typically occurs next when settlement negotiations are unsuccessful?

When settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, litigation typically occurs as the next step in the dispute resolution process. In the context of legal disputes, litigation refers to the formal process of taking a case through the court system, where a judge or jury will ultimately decide the outcome based on the presented evidence and arguments from both parties.

This step is often pursued when parties cannot reach a mutual agreement during negotiations, as litigation moves the dispute into a more structured legal environment that can lead to an enforceable resolution. The litigation process includes filing complaints, engaging in discovery, and potentially going through a trial, which can be lengthy and complex.

While mediation and arbitration are alternative dispute resolution methods that can also occur if negotiations fail, they typically precede litigation as options for resolving disputes outside of court. A public announcement is generally not a necessary step following unsuccessful negotiations and is usually unrelated to the legal process itself. Thus, in the chain of events following failed settlement negotiations, litigation is the natural next step.