Judge Judy is an American court show

Judge show

A judge show features small claims court cases which the parties have agreed to have adjudicated in a simulation of a small claims court. In reality, because the forum is merely a television studio and not a real court of law, what is depicted is actually a form of arbitration...

 featuring former family court

Family court

A family court is a court convened to decide matters and make orders in relation to family law, such as custody of children. In common-law jurisdictions "family courts" are statutory creations primarily dealing with equitable matters devolved from a court of inherent jurisdiction, such as a...

 judge Judith Sheindlin

Judith Sheindlin

Judith Sheindlin, better known as Judge Judy, is an American lawyer, judge, television personality, and author. Since 1996, Sheindlin has presided over her own syndicated courtroom show, Judge Judy, and is well known for her no-nonsense legal style and powerful personality, sharpness, and quick...

 arbitrating over small claims

Small claims court

Small-claims courts have limited jurisdiction to hear civil cases between private litigants. Courts authorized to try small claims may also have other judicial functions, and the name by which such a court is known varies by jurisdiction; it may be known as a county or magistrate's court...

 cases in small claims court. The series is in first-run syndication and distributed by CBS Television Distribution

CBS Television Distribution

CBS Television Distribution is a global television distribution company, formed from the merger of CBS Corporation's two domestic television distribution arms CBS Paramount Domestic Television and King World Productions, including its home entertainment arm CBS Home Entertainment...

, the successor company to its previous distributors Worldvision Enterprises, Paramount Domestic Television

Paramount Television

Paramount Television was an American television production/distribution company that was active from January 1, 1968 to August 27, 2006.Its successor is CBS Television Studios, formerly CBS Paramount Television...

, and CBS Paramount Domestic Television

CBS Paramount Domestic Television

CBS Paramount Domestic Television was an American television distribution company/production that was formed on January 17, 2006 and owned by CBS Corporation...

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Since premiering on September 16, 1996, the show has been the ratings leader in courtroom-themed, reality-based shows.