Originally Posted by JLTD
Originally Posted by PW01
It's been my understanding that the participants are paid $5k (plus expenses) and any judgement awarded is paid from that.
That's been my understanding as well; there's a $5000 pool of money which is split between the two people that appear. Judge Judy can only award up to $5000, which would leave one person with zero.
From the imgur photo posted above of the Judge Judy letter, it sounds like they pay only the plaintiff if the plaintiff wins. Pay travel and boarding for plaintiff/defendant/witnesses. If the defendant had a counter suit, then maybe they also pay up to $5000 for that. Letter doesn't mention anything about a counter suit. Judge Judy rarely both a plaintiff award and a defendant counter suit award.