It already has a to-do list: Congress has ordered it to study reverse mortgages, private education-loan practices, why consumers who buy credit scores get numbers different from the ones lenders get and whether arbitration is the right way to settle financial disputes.

WSJ: New Consumer Bureau: a To-Do List

The problem is, each of the merchants signed an agreement to settle their claims in arbitration, and waived their right to join in class actions.

FORBES: Supreme Court Asked: Are Class Actions Sacred?

For the first time since negotiating the right to salary arbitration in 1974, no Major League Baseball player will take a case to a hearing this year.

FORBES: Baseball Pitches Arbitration Shutout In 2013

In the public sector there is no right to strike, only arbitration.

FORBES: Magazine Article

If they're right, they'll avoid the uncertainty of arbitration, which Niese would've become eligible for next winter.

WSJ: Mets: The Thinking Behind Jon Niese's Deal

But Amex notes the court has already held that antitrust claims can be resolved through arbitration and Concepcion made it utterly clear that there is nothing inherently wrong with waiving the right to participating in a class action.

FORBES: Supreme Court Asked: Are Class Actions Sacred?

This fiasco got its start last year, when Schwab inserted in its standard customer arbitration agreement a provision that any investor who opens an account with Schwab is giving up his right to bring a class action against Schwab.

FORBES: Small Investors Smacked Down, One More Time, in Schwab Ruling

Right now, if you have a broker dispute, you have to submit to mandatory arbitration run by the securities industry.

FORBES: Sign Your Fiduciary Declaration Now and Tell Mary Schapiro You Want Action

Richards, Brennan and Williams do not have the right of appeal against the punishments with the ERC but they can take their cases to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

BBC: Richards ban to extend worldwide