Русско-англо-русский юридический словарь

An arbitration award (or arbitral award) is a determination on the merits by an arbitration tribunal in an arbitration, and is analogous to a judgment in a court of law. It is referred to as an 'award' even where all of the claimant's claims fail (and thus no money needs to be paid by either party), or the award is of a non-monetary nature. (Wikipedia)

I commit to decision-making on the merits and exclusively in the public interest, without regard to private gain or personal benefit. (Executive Order on Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel)

Under Texas law, she said, a bar on relitigation would only apply if there had been "final determination on the merits." (Reuters)

A mistrial occurs when a jury is unable to reach a verdict and there must be a new trial with a new jury; or there is a serious procedural error or misconduct that would result in an unfair trial, and the judge adjourns the case without a decision on the merits and awards a new trial. (Legal Information Institute)