San Francisco — EJT Information Sheet PDF Document

Source: https://sf.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/voluntary-expedited-jury-trial-summary_0.pdf

Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco Voluntary Expedited Jury Trial Summary Information Sheet

The San Francisco Superior Court encourages the use of Voluntary Expedited Jury Trials (“EJTs”) in appropriate cases. EJTs provide an excellent opportunity to resolve your client’s case in an expeditious and inexpensive way. Voluntary EJTs are authorized by statute. CCP §§ 630.01.

EJTs can resolve your entire case or a single important or case critical issue that, once adjudicated, can promote resolution of the entire case (for example: course and scope of employment, causation of an injury, whether a contract was formed, etc.) EJTs promote equal access to civil justice as they are less expensive, consume fewer courtroom days, provide flexibility throughout, encourage high/low agreements to limit risk, and feature streamlined pre-trial procedures.

These are highlights of an EJT (C.C.P §§ 630.01 et seq. and Rules of Court 3.1549- 3.1553):

• Parties encouraged to submit a joint jury questionnaire; • 8 jurors (6 must agree); • 3 peremptory challenges per side; • 5-hour time limit per side unless agreed otherwise and approved; • One to two court days completion unless agreed otherwise and approved; • Option to present evidence by stipulation and objection; • High/low arrangement option; • Limited appeal (misconduct by judge or jury substantially affecting parties’ rights or corruption, or bad faith.)

If the parties agree to the Voluntary EJT, they should file and serve the completed and signed (Proposed) Consent Order for Voluntary Expedited Jury Trial, Judicial Council Form EJT-020.