LITIGATION.

verb lit·i·gate \ˈli-tə-ˌgāt\
: to make (something) the subject of a lawsuit : to cause (a case, an issue, etc.) to be decided and settled in a court of law

MEDIATION.

noun me·di·a·tion \ˌmē-dē-ˈā-shən\
:  intervention between conflicting parties to promote reconciliation, settlement, or compromise

Mediation is a problem-solving process in which a neutral, skilled third person – the mediator – helps the parties in a dispute to reach a voluntary agreement. The mediator does not decide how the dispute should be resolved, but instead helps the parties develop agreements that are satisfactory to all parties. In many disputes the mediator’s neutral perspective can enable the parties to take a fresh look at the conflict and at potential solutions so they can move past an impasse.