I have actually had a positive experience.
A very well known Rosh Yeshiva took me – a not well known ballabos – to a Din Torah on a Hilchos Shchenim issue. I did not want to go, but had no choice. I did not take a to’en and simply stated my case. He was throwing around all sorts of lomdus that I hardly understood. I was intimidated but couldn’t do anything about it.
A few weeks later I got a letter from the Bes Din in the mail telling me that they essentially sided with me 100% but – for the sake of peace – they recommended certain things. The Bes Din emphasized that these are only recommendations and are not binding.
I had to pay the Bes Din a few hundred dollars – no huge sums.
The session lasted about 2 hours.
I must say that I was very impressed by the honesty of the Bes Din and how they were not swayed by this big-name Rosh Yeshiva.
I don’t know if I am allowed to mention here which Bes Din this is, but it is in Boro Park.
There is Mishpat Emess in a Jewish Bes Din based on my experience.