11.  The battle between the agency and the White House could lead to a landmark legal showdown that defines the limits of congressional power to investigate a president.

12.  The battle could lead to a landmark legal showdown that defines the limits of congressional power to investigate a president.

13.  The FTC or the Justice Department almost always reaches a negotiated settlement before the threat of a legal showdown draws near.

14.  The hearing was a preview of the legal showdown next year between Microsoft and its rivals over the proposed consent decree.

15.  The White House Tuesday accused congressional investigators of exceeding their authority as a legal showdown loomed over efforts to learn more about meetings of the Bush energy task force.

16.  The decision headed off a legal showdown between Greenpeace and BNFL scheduled for Monday at which Greenpeace was to challenge the order.

17.  The justices peppered the lawyers with questions, then disappeared quietly into their chambers, clearing the stage for the next dramatic legal showdown.

18.  The truce eases the risk of a legal showdown between Germany and the Commission pending a final resolution of the issue.