We set up a phone hotline for businesses and charities that had unwittingly signed unfair contracts.

For the bride who is forced to choose between an unfair contract and a missing bridegroom, still another possibility exists.

And a large number of cellular users consider themselves trapped by 'unfair' contracts that can't be changed without penalty.

Substantial amounts of evidence were collected from hundreds of victims of unfair contracts.

Freedom of contract especially is under pressure, as the courts are increasingly willing to use public policy as grounds to strike down unfair contracts.

They said picketing was still necessary to prevent companies from imposing unfair contracts.

"Now, having decided how unfair the contract was, the judge will look into the books to decide the money question," Mr. Buchwald said in an interview.

But miners in West Virginia refused to return, fearing an unfair contract.

Cayton added: "I refused to let him sign a wrong and unfair contract."

He also denounced the consolidation of the media business, saying it pressured musicians into signing unfair contracts.