October 27, 2006

By Eric Berkowitz (View author info)

Hundreds of judges have deserted the bench to enrich themselves in a system of private arbitration. The arena is largely unregulated and tilted, many say, in favor of big business and against the little guy. The pay-for-justice phenomenon extends nationwide, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in business a year. But it's most prevalent in California, where a largely unregulated private system now handles more commercial cases than do the courts, according to some in the industry.... Among them are four former California Supreme Court justices who settle disputes for arbitration companies that hawk them like merchandise. Of course, it's tough to stay too grouchy as a private judge, what with all the cash you're raking in. Most California judges make $150,696 annually....Top-tier private judges, by contrast, charge as much as $10,000 a day.

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