What does 'legal action' involve?

The concept of "legal action" specifically refers to the formal steps taken to resolve a dispute through the judicial system. This often involves filing lawsuits or other court proceedings intended to hold parties accountable, seek damages, or enforce rights. In the context of the chosen answer, filing court proceedings against a defaulting state is a direct example of legal action, as it necessitates engaging the legal system to address a breach of law or contract.

Negotiating contracts out of court, seeking peaceful resolution of disputes, and obtaining counseling are all processes that may serve as alternative dispute resolution methods but do not constitute legal action. These processes aim to resolve disputes without resorting to the courts, thereby characterizing them as non-legal actions. Legal action, by contrast, is inherently tied to the intervention of the judiciary.