Disputes: release, refund, or split
A dispute names an amount. The money moves only after the held escrow actually changes hands, including the refund.
Most gigs never become disputes. When one does, the outcomes are release to the creator, refund to the brand, or a split of the creator's rate. The platform fee is not quietly given to either side as if it were part of the rate.
Large amounts are not settled by one admin. At or above the dual-control threshold the action stops and points at the finance console, where a second person has to agree. Below that line, the settlement still refuses to pay unless it successfully moved the escrow out of held.
A refund that Paystack does not accept does not get marked refunded. The row goes back to held. That is slower than a green check. It is also the only version that matches the bank.