Just the specter of what might come out in this process, or the astronomical costs of discovery, regularly forces defendants to the negotiating table to settle otherwise winnable cases.

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Patton Boggs joined the lawsuit by Ecuadorean villagers suing Chevron over toxic drilling waste in the Amazonian jungle last year, but has been stymied in efforts to drag the global oil giant to the bargaining table to settle.

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Mike Newell's Hartlepool, who spent a lengthy period of the season leading the table, have to settle for second spot but at least have the consolation of promotion.

BBC: Diamonds win title

Hutchings takes over with Walsall 13th in the League One table but he insisted he would not be looking to settle for a mid-table finish.

BBC: Walsall appoint Hutchings as boss

At least in prison, she could sit with him at a table for a few hours instead of having to settle for a few minutes of conversation behind a thick glass partition at the county jail, she said.

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The US-drafted resolution backs an African Union roadmap which aims to settle the conflict and bring the two countries back to the negotiating table.

BBC: UN passes resolution threatening sanctions on Sudans