A judge rules against halacha that is explicitly stated in the Mishnah. What is the outcome?
When a judge errs in revealed, explicit law — such as a ruling stated clearly in the Mishnah or Gemara — the ruling is reversed and the matter corrected.
Question 2
A judge errs in a matter of logical deduction (a Talmudic dispute). He is an expert and was accepted by litigants. What happens?
When an expert judge accepted by litigants errs in a matter of logical deduction, his ruling stands but he must personally compensate the party who suffered from his error.
Question 3
A person was not an expert judge and was not accepted by the litigants. He adjudicated and erred. What is his status?
Such a person is considered a 'man of force,' not a proper judge. His ruling is void and any money transferred must be returned.
Question 4
Can a litigant demand that his case be heard by the Supreme Court rather than a local court?
A litigant has the absolute right to demand that his case be heard by the Supreme Court. The Rambam rules that we compel the other litigant to go, even if they prefer the local court.
Question 5
After a judgment is rendered, a litigant produces new witnesses. Can the judgment be reopened?
If a litigant completed his arguments by declaring he had no witnesses and then produces witnesses, the judgment stands. But if the witnesses were overseas or unknown to him, the judgment may be reopened.