Pre-Paid Faces New Round of 'Jackpot Justice'

Pre-Paid Legal Services (PPD Quote) will soon test its legal savvy in a "judicial hellhole" known for its runaway jury awards.

The company -- which heartily promotes "equal justice for all" -- had hoped to block hundreds of unhappy customers from the courtroom and force them into arbitration instead. But the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that a brief arbitration clause, printed in nine-point font near the end of the company's six-page contract, fails to eliminate a customer's right to a jury trial.

"There was no notice, no discussion and no negotiation of the arbitration agreement," the state Supreme Court ruled. "Further, based upon the language in this clause, we do not find that an average citizen would realize that he or she is giving up his or her right to a trial by jury under the broad, general language contained in the Pre-Paid Legal expense agreement." ...