The hearings are conducted in a studio styled as a television-related courtroom with entertainment styling, including a
Union Jack
flag and another flag with the show's logo and a
gavel
, neither of which are used in UK courts.
[7]
The robes worn by Rinder are regular
barristers' robes
without the wig and, in England and Wales, most small claim trials are conducted in
district judges' chambers
.
[8]
The show follows the same format as other television court shows, such as
Judge Judy
and
Judge Mathis
.
[9]
The claimant and defendant enter the courtroom separately, while narrator Charles Foster says their first names (unlike
Judge Judy
, where full names are used) along with details of the case and they take their places at their respective benches: the claimant on the judge's left, and the defendant on the judge's right. Rinder then asks the claimant and defendant to confirm their names, and the case proceeds.
[
citation needed
]
The
bailiff
on the show is Michelle Hassan, who passes items of evidence (photographs, receipts, copies of text messages etc.) between the litigants and Judge Rinder during proceedings, which can be displayed on a large video screen in the courtroom (with certain identifying information electronically blurred) when required. Hassan also brings a box of tissues or a glass of water to any litigant who should become distressed during their case, as well as escorting any additional witnesses into the courtroom and who give their evidence, standing in a dock on the same side of the room where she stands and out of the courtroom again afterwards.
[
citation needed
]