Possible Clues:

• Settled dispute outlined by contract
• Bore the cost of action involving conflict
• Helped reduce, as expenses
• Offset, as costs
• Paid, settled (a cost)
• Met government department principals in York, ending dispute
• Paid to be stitched up?
• It's discharged in battle during action
• Settled in legal document without fight
• Put paid to it, with battle in action