Judge Judy settles china fight

TV lawmaker Judge Judy has ended a legal spat over used china by handing the goods back, just days after she was hit with a lawsuit over the collection.

The judge, real name Judith Sheindlin, was accused of buying pricey Christofle tableware worth more than £312,500 from her show's producer Randy Douthit for a bargain £31,250, without his estranged wife Patric Jones' consent.

Jones sued Sheindlin for punitive damages and demanded the return of the china or payment to cover the difference, but the former family court judge has decided to hand back the plates and walk away from the feud.

In a statement released to TMZ.com, Judge Judy says, "This very unpleasant lady doesn't give a hoot about dishes. She cares about pressuring her ex-husband (sic) and the way to do that is to attempt to embarrass me. She and her attorney want a circus, and I refuse to be a further participant in their drama."

Sheindlin appears to suggest she has not been compensated for the money she paid, adding, "As Ms. Jones and her attorney assert, the items are community property, they are being packed and returned to Mr. Douthit and she can proceed with her claim in divorce court. Anyway, my husband and I eat out most of the time."