For purposes of this chapter:
§ 630.01.Definitions
Title 8. Of the Trial and Judgment In Civil Actions · Chapter 4.5. Voluntary Expedited Jury Trials · Last amended 2016 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 630.01 defines the three terms that run through California's voluntary expedited jury trial chapter: the expedited jury trial itself, a high/low agreement fixing guaranteed minimum and maximum damages, and the narrow slice of post-trial motions the process still permits.
Full Text of § 630.01
(a) "Expedited jury trial" means a consensual, binding jury trial before a reduced jury panel and a judicial officer.
(b) "High/low agreement" means a written agreement entered into by the parties that specifies a minimum amount of damages that a plaintiff is guaranteed to receive from the defendant, and a maximum amount of damages that the defendant will be liable for, regardless of the ultimate verdict returned by the jury. Neither the existence of, nor the amounts contained in, any high/low agreements may be disclosed to the jury.
(c) "Post-trial motions" does not include motions relating to costs and attorney's fees, motions to correct a judgment for a clerical error, and motions to enforce a judgment.
Plain-English Summary
These definitions set the vocabulary for everything that follows in Chapter 4.5. An expedited jury trial is a consensual, binding trial before a reduced jury panel and a judicial officer — parties opt into a faster, more predictable process in exchange for giving up some of the usual trial machinery.
A high/low agreement lets the parties cap their risk without telling the jury. The plaintiff is guaranteed a floor recovery, the defendant is protected by a ceiling, and neither the existence nor the amounts of that agreement may reach the jury's ears — the verdict still gets decided on the merits, with the agreement adjusting the payout afterward.
The definition of "post-trial motions" matters because § 630.08 and § 630.09 make the parties waive most of them. This section carves out three exceptions that survive the waiver regardless: motions about costs and attorney's fees, motions to fix a clerical error in the judgment, and motions to enforce a judgment already entered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an expedited jury trial under California law?
A consensual, binding jury trial conducted before a reduced jury panel and a judicial officer, governed by the procedures in Chapter 4.5.
What is a high/low agreement?
A written agreement setting a guaranteed minimum recovery for the plaintiff and a maximum liability cap for the defendant, regardless of the jury's actual verdict. The jury never learns the agreement exists.
Which post-trial motions survive the expedited jury trial waivers?
Motions relating to costs and attorney's fees, motions to correct a clerical error in the judgment, and motions to enforce a judgment are not treated as waived "post-trial motions" under this chapter.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats 2015 ch 330 (AB 555),s 1, eff. 1/1/2016. Amended by Stats 2011 ch 296 (AB 1023),s 37, eff. 1/1/2012. Added by Stats 2010 ch 674 (AB 2284),s 2, eff. 1/1/2011.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: expedited jury trial definition californiahigh low agreement california