AbstractA class of nonlinear singular integral equations of Cauchy type on a finite interval is transformed to an equivalent class of (discontinuous) boundary value problems for holomorphic functions in the complex unit disk. Using recent results on the solvability of explicit Riemann–Hilbert problems, we prove the existence of solutions to the integral equation with bounded piecewise continuous nonlinearities. We discuss the influence of parameters and additional conditions and demonstrate the approach for a free boundary problem arising from seepage near a channel. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.