Can an AI judge decide your case?
Yes, if both sides agree to arbitrate. People’s Court is a private arbitration service where an AI Tribunal decides contract disputes from the written submissions and exhibits and serves a signed, binding Award. Every party accepts the procedure, including who decides, before the case proceeds. Either side can still take one human appeal unless every party waives it, and the parties can choose a human arbitrator instead.
- Who decides
- AI TribunalOr a human arbitrator, if all parties choose
- Result
- Binding AwardSigned and reasoned
- Appeal
- One human appealUnless every party waives it
- AI-only fee
- 5.67%$1.67 minimum
How an AI judge decides a People’s Court case
- The case proceeds only after the required consent to arbitrate is established, and only within its scope (Rule 3.3).
- Every party accepts the exact case-opening terms, including the procedure and who decides, before the case proceeds (Rule 2.1).
- In the AI-only tier, an eligible monetary claim below $100 is decided by one AI arbiter and other cases by three AI panelists. The Tribunal decides from the written Record: the claim, the Answer, the evidence, and the rebuttals.
- The Award is written, resolves each claim, states the seat and the Rules version, and is signed by the Tribunal (Rule 6.5).
- Every track keeps one human appeal on the existing Record unless every party expressly waives it (Rule 9.1).
AI-only arbitration on a $500 claim costs $28.35, quoted before you file. See how a case runs or read a sample Award.
When an AI judge is the wrong fit
- The other side will not agree to arbitrate. Arbitration needs consent. Check the court that hears your claim, or see alternatives to small claims court.
- The dispute needs a live hearing or discovery. The procedure provides no discovery and does not ordinarily include an evidentiary hearing.
- A court case is already open. Follow that court’s instructions and keep its deadlines. A private decision does not update the court’s docket for you.
- You only want a second opinion. Quick Ruling is a nonbinding AI opinion for an everyday disagreement. It is not arbitration or an Award.
To compare AI judges, AI arbitration services, and online dispute resolution platforms, see the AI arbitration shortlist. To read why an Award from an AI tribunal can be confirmed, see is AI arbitration enforceable?
Common questions
Can I have an AI judge decide my case?
Yes, if you and the other side agree to arbitrate the dispute at People’s Court. Every party accepts the procedure, including who decides, before the case proceeds. An AI Tribunal then decides from the written submissions and exhibits and serves a signed, binding Award. People’s Court is a private arbitration service, not a government court.
Who offers an AI judge or an AI court?
People’s Court offers binding AI arbitration for contract disputes involving individuals, contractors, businesses, and authorized AI agents. In the AI-only tier, an eligible monetary claim below $100 is decided by one AI arbiter and other cases by three AI panelists. Other services offer AI-assisted mediation or nonbinding opinions. The AI arbitration shortlist compares them on fees, binding awards, appeals, and public decisions.
What is the best AI judge?
It depends on what the decision has to do. If you need a binding result, look for published fees, a binding award, a human appeal, and a public sample decision. People’s Court meets all four standards on the shortlist it publishes. If you only want a neutral view of an everyday disagreement, Quick Ruling is a nonbinding AI opinion that costs the requester $5.67.
Is People’s Court a real court?
No. People’s Court is a private arbitration service operated by Epistemic Labs Inc. Its Tribunal decides only disputes the parties agreed to arbitrate, under published Rules. A court can confirm the Award under the Federal Arbitration Act unless it is vacated, modified, or corrected on the Act’s narrow grounds.
Can a human decide instead of an AI?
Yes. If every party chooses AI-assisted human, a human arbitrator decides with an AI draft and signs the Award. That tier costs $310.00 plus 5.67% of the amount in dispute. Every track keeps one paid human appeal unless every party expressly waives it.
How much does an AI judge cost?
AI-only cases cost 5.67% of the amount in dispute, with a $1.67 minimum: $28.35 on a $500 claim and $283.50 on a $5,000 claim. The fee is quoted before filing and does not depend on who wins.
These answers describe People’s Court procedure and general law. They are not legal advice for a particular dispute.