Court TV shows like The People’s Court and Judge Judy are a form of binding arbitration and not part of a real court or judicial system. Both sides are paid an appearance fee to be on the show.
Then, the producers of the show hire an attorney to be the arbitrator. This person does not preside over any real court.
The decisions that are made on these shows are legally binding, but only because both sides have signed contracts agreeing to abide by the decision of the arbitrator.
Table of Contents
What is arbitration?
Arbitration is a process where two sides present their case to a third party (the arbitrator) and agree to abide by the decision that the arbitrator makes.
This is different from going to court, where a judge or jury hears both sides of the case and makes a decision based on the law.
Is arbitration binding?
Yes, arbitration is legally binding. This means that both sides have agreed, in writing, to accept the decision of the arbitrator as final.
If one side does not like the decision, they cannot appeal it.
What are some advantages of arbitration?
Some advantages of arbitration include:
- It can be faster than going to court
- It can be less expensive than going to court
- It can be more informal than going to court
What are some disadvantages of arbitration?
Some disadvantages of arbitration include:
- The arbitrator’s decision is final and cannot be appealed
- Arbitration may not be as fair as going to court, because the arbitrator may have a conflict of interest (for example, if the arbitrator is being paid by one of the sides)
- The proceedings are usually not public, so it is difficult to know what happened during the arbitration
How do I be on a court TV show?
While some people may view court TV shows as a form of entertainment, it is important to remember that they are not part of the real court system.
Popular TV court shows like The People’s Court and Judge Judy are actually a form of binding arbitration. This means that both sides agree, in writing, to accept the decision of the arbitrator as final.
If you are interested in appearing on one of these shows, you can contact the show’s producers and explain your case. The producers will then decide if your case is appropriate for their show.
If you have a legal issue, you should consult with an attorney to find out what your best course of action is. Do not rely on court TV shows as a way to resolve your legal issues.
List of popular TV court shows
- The People’s Court
- Judge Judy
- Judge Joe Brown
- Divorce Court
- Small Claims Court
- Traffic Court
Conclusion
Some people believe that court TV shows are entirely fake and scripted. However, this is not the case.
While the decisions made on these shows are not part of the real court system, they are legally binding because both sides have signed contracts agreeing to abide by the decision of the arbitrator.
With that said, keep in mind that these shows are entertainment and not part of the real court system. If you have a legal issue, you should consult with an attorney to find out what your best course of action is.
