1.   Critics said the process allowed litigants to buy their way out of unfavorable court rulings and to unfairly shape public law.

2.   Edwards also said executives from Loewen, a Canadian funeral services company, hoped she might help them get an unfavorable civil court ruling in Mississippi reversed.

3.   Philip Morris Cos. led the slide, extending a weeklong drop triggered by unfavorable court rulings.

4.   The decision also came within days of two unfavorable court decisions for the gun industry.

5.   The industry is more willing to settle now because of unfavorable court decisions and the threat of more regulation.

6.   U.S. stocks suffered a late decline as an unfavorable court ruling in Florida sent shares of Philip Morris Cos. and other tobacco companies reeling.