Negative dispute is a foregone conclusion (2,7)
I believe the answer is:
no contest
'is a foregone conclusion' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'negative dispute' is the wordplay.
'negative' becomes 'no' (no is a kind of negative).
'dispute' becomes 'contest' (I've seen this in another clue).
'no'+'contest'='NO-CONTEST'
(Other definitions for no contest that I've seen before include "The winner is obvious!" , "Winner's obvious" , "Without serious competition -- hands down" , "one-sided fight?" , "sure-fire victory" .)