- What is an Expedited Jury Trial (EJT)?
- Where are the EJT rules?
- What are the differences between EJTs and regular jury trials?
- What types of cases are appropriate for EJTs?
- How do we request an EJT?
- Is there any assistance available for completing the Consent Order for EJT?
- Where can I find additional information about EJTs?
- What is an Expedited Jury Trial (EJT)?
- Where are the EJT rules?
- What are the differences between EJTs and regular jury trials?
- Each side has 3 hours to present its case, including witness testimony, evidence and arguments.
- The jury has eight (8) jurors (no alternates) and requires six (6) jurors to reach a verdict.
- Each side is allowed 15 minutes for jury voir dire.
- All parties must waive their right to an appeal. (Appeals are only allowed in very limited circumstances.)
- Before trial, the parties may enter into a 'high/low agreement" to guarantee a minimum/maximum amount of recovery regardless of the jury's verdict.
- What types of cases are appropriate for EJTs?
- Cases with only one or two issues, such as personal injury cases where liability is not an issue and the only issue is the amount of damages.
- Cases in which both sides want an EJT.
- Cases in which the attorneys or self-represented parties can cooperatively work together to stipulate to the consent order and other procedural matters, such as the timing for exchanging exhibits and witness lists before trial.
An EJT is a short jury trial, generally lasting one day. It is quicker and less expensive than a traditional jury trial. Parties must request an EJT and stipulate (agree) to certain rules; the court cannot order parties to participate in EJTs.
Code of Civil Procedure sections 630.01 – 630.12
California Rules of Court, Rules 3.1545-3.1552
In EJTs:
To request an Expedited Jury Trial, the parties must complete and file a [Proposed] Consent Order for Expedited Jury Trial (EJT-020).Parties may also need an Attachment to [Proposed] Consent Order for Expedited Jury Trial (EJT-020A). Note that these are optional forms.
Judicial officers or parties may raise EJTs as a possibility at Case Management Conferences, Trial Setting Conferences and Mandatory Settlement Conferences.
Yes. If your case is going through mediation and does not appear to be resolving, you may ask your mediator for assistance in negotiating the terms of the Consent Order.
You may retain a mediator to help negotiate the terms of the Consent Order.
Options include:
The court's Civil Mediation Panel
For more information, please see the EJT Information Sheet (EJT-010-INFO)