Kabia v. Koch
New York City Civil Court
713 N.Y.S.2d 250 (2000)
Facts
In 1999, Idris Kabia (plaintiff) filed an action in small-claims court against his son, Ahmed Kabia, seeking the return of family photos. Before the case was adjudicated, Ralph Edwards Productions (producer) offered the parties the opportunity to resolve their dispute on The People’s Court television show before Judge and Arbitrator Edward Koch (defendant). Both agreed and signed an Agreement to Arbitrate (agreement) stating that the producer would pay any monetary award issued by Koch or $250 to each party. The agreement also released the producer and Koch from liability for any alleged defamatory statements made during the broadcasted arbitration. After the arbitration, Koch found in favor of Kabia’s son with no monetary award. The producer therefore issued a $250 check to Kabia, which Kabia endorsed and deposited. Kabia later filed a defamation lawsuit against Koch, alleging that Koch used the words kidnapped or kidnapper during the televised broadcast, referring to Kabia wrongfully taking his son while in his native country of Africa. Koch filed a motion for summary judgment, seeking dismissal of the case based on arbitral immunity.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Ryp, J.)
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