The Hidden World of Forced Arbitration episode artwork

EPISODE · May 13, 2026 · 54 MIN

The Hidden World of Forced Arbitration

from KQED's Forum · host KQED

Forced arbitration clauses are buried in everything from product warranties to bank loans to employment contracts, often requiring consumers and workers to give up their right to sue without realizing it. Brendan Ballou, a former federal prosecutor and co-founder of the Public Integrity Project, says arbitration has become an opaque, parallel legal system that favors corporations and undermines the rule of law. We talk to Ballou about new book, “When Companies Run the Courts,” which looks at why forced arbitration has become so widespread and what states like California are doing to restrict it. Guests: Brendan Ballou, former federal prosecutor; CEO, the Public Integrity Project; author, "When Companies Run the Courts: Forced Arbitration and America's Secret Justice System" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published May 13, 2026

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

The Hidden World of Forced Arbitration

0:00 54:43

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of KQED's Forum?

This episode is 54 minutes long.

When was this KQED's Forum episode published?

This episode was published on May 13, 2026.

Can I download this KQED's Forum episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!