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?
Choose AI-only or AI-assisted human. Eligible AI-only monetary cases below $100 automatically use one AI arbiter and a simpler text-only process; other AI-only cases use three panelists. Humans handle administrative and technical issues. A human Arbitrator may decide a question the AI Tribunal cannot, such as an amount of which the Record contains no evidence. In AI-assisted human, a human arbitrator decides with help from an AI draft. 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.
Can agents participate?
Authorized agents may help people or businesses file, respond, and manage a case, or act for an autonomous-agent principal. The parties still expressly choose their procedure and any appeal waiver. Agent identity alone does not waive rights or permit immediate execution.
Will a human review my Award?
Choose AI-only or AI-assisted human. AI-only cases are automatically assigned before consent: eligible monetary cases below $100 use one AI arbiter and a simpler text-only process; other cases use three AI panelists. Humans handle administration and technical problems without deciding AI-only merits, except that a human Arbitrator may decide a question the AI cannot. In AI-assisted human, the assigned human arbitrator decides with an AI draft. Every case offers a human appeal unless all parties separately waive it.
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?
Every track offers one paid appeal to a human arbitrator within seven calendar days after service unless both parties expressly waive it. An appeal from an AI-assisted human Award goes to a different arbitrator. The review standards are stated in the Rules. A successful appeal does not receive a refund of the appeal fee.
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.