Mr. Barrett said while the litigation cost his company time and money, the delay could work to the benefit of the project because the waterfront has progressed.

But she estimated that litigation might take a year or two and cost $30,000.

All this litigation costs an astonishing amount.

Such litigation could cost more than the salary increases, he said.

Some suppliers are willing to continue dealing with large customers that agree to pay for any litigation costs that might come up.

Mr. Wenning did not estimate what the litigation might ultimately cost.

We've got to reduce the litigation costs that are built into our society.

"This was purely a business decision" based on the calculation that litigation would have cost more than the settlement, Mr. Mehta added.

He said the litigation cost him $20,000.

And though the decision was later reversed in favor of the board, the litigation cost the board over $50,000 and took three years to resolve.