§ 630.08.Waiver of Motions For Directed Verdict, to Set Aside Verdict Or Judgment

Title 8. Of the Trial and Judgment In Civil Actions · Chapter 4.5. Voluntary Expedited Jury Trials · Last amended 2012 · Last verified July 28, 2026

In one sentenceSection 630.08 has parties who choose an expedited jury trial waive motions for directed verdict, motions to set aside the verdict or judgment, and new-trial motions based on inadequate or excessive damages, and bars the court from granting any of that relief except on the grounds listed in § 630.09.

Full Text of § 630.08

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) By agreeing to participate in the expedited jury trial process, the parties agree to waive any motions for directed verdict, motions to set aside the verdict or any judgment rendered by the jury, or motions for a new trial on the basis of inadequate or excessive damages.

(b) The court shall not set aside any verdict or any judgment, shall not direct that judgment be entered in favor of a party entitled to judgment as a matter of law, and shall not order a new trial, except on the grounds stated in Section 630.09.

Plain-English Summary

Agreeing to an expedited jury trial means giving up several of the usual post-verdict tools. Parties waive any motion for a directed verdict, any motion to set aside the verdict or the resulting judgment, and any new-trial motion grounded in inadequate or excessive damages.

Subdivision (b) locks that waiver in from the court's side as well — the court can't set aside a verdict or judgment, can't direct entry of judgment for a party as a matter of law, and can't order a new trial in an expedited jury trial case, except on the narrow grounds § 630.09 preserves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What motions do parties give up by agreeing to an expedited jury trial?

Motions for directed verdict, motions to set aside the verdict or any resulting judgment, and new-trial motions based on inadequate or excessive damages.

Can the court still order a new trial in an expedited jury trial case?

Only on the grounds listed in § 630.09 — judicial misconduct, jury misconduct, or corruption, fraud, or undue means that prevented a fair trial.

Amendment History

Amended by Stats 2011 ch 296 (AB 1023),s 38, 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 waiver of motions california