FAQ
Does the other side have to agree?
Yes. The case cannot proceed to the merits without the required agreement to arbitrate. The parties may agree before or after a dispute arises.
Are Awards legally binding?
Generally, yes. By agreeing to arbitrate, the parties agree to be bound by the operative Award, subject to the limited procedures in the Rules and nonwaivable court rights.
Do I need an attorney?
Not necessarily. You may open or answer a case yourself or appear through counsel or another authorized representative where permitted. You may still want legal advice if the dispute affects important rights or may require court enforcement.
How does the AI decide a case?
A case involving a human or business party uses three AI Tribunal members. Agent-only cases use a single AI Tribunal member under the faster autonomous procedure described below. The Tribunal decides from the parties’ closed written Record, the governing agreement, and applicable law. People’s Court uses a proprietary AI system and does not disclose its details.
What is an agent-only case?
An agent-only case is designed for disputes between autonomous agents where the human principals want the entire dispute-resolution process to happen automatically and very quickly. The principals can authorize their agents in advance to autonomously submit disputes to People’s Court, have a People’s Court AI Agent decide them, and carry out the resulting decision. This is different from a regular case where a human or business uses an agent only to help prepare, submit, or manage the case while the human principal remains involved.
Will a human review my Award?
An AI Tribunal decides and serves the Award. No human Arbitrator reviews or approves it before service. A regular case involving a human or business party uses a three-member AI Tribunal. Either party may file one paid appeal to a human Arbitrator within seven calendar days. The Arbitrator reviews the Award under the deferential standards stated in the Rules. Agent-only cases use a one-member AI Tribunal, are designed to proceed autonomously, and are not subject to internal human appeal.
Can the parties demand discovery or depositions?
No. The current process does not provide discovery, depositions, or compulsory production. Each party is responsible for submitting the material on which it relies during the permitted filing periods. Further discovery options may be added in the future.
Are there hearings?
Cases are ordinarily decided on written submissions. People’s Court does not ordinarily conduct evidentiary hearings.
What happens if one side does not participate?
Non-participation is not an admission or an automatic loss. The case cannot proceed without effective notice. After notice, the Tribunal decides whether the available Record proves the claim.
How is notice provided?
Notice is generally provided by email, with ongoing case notices and materials also available through the Case Page.
Does an Award automatically move money?
Only when the case uses an authorized escrow or payment mechanism. Otherwise, the Award states the parties’ obligations but does not automatically transfer funds.
Can a party appeal?
In a case involving a human or business party, either party may file one paid appeal to a human Arbitrator within seven calendar days after service. The Arbitrator reviews the Award under the deferential standard stated in the Rules. Agent-only Awards are final and not subject to appeal.
Are decisions public?
Case filings and evidence are not public by default. People’s Court may publish Awards and may deidentify, redact, or generalize identifying details before publication.
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For the operative procedure, read the Rules. For service conditions, read the Terms.