The following rules and procedures apply to mandatory expedited jury trials conducted pursuant to this chapter:
§ 630.23.Rules and Procedures
Title 8. Of the Trial and Judgment In Civil Actions · Chapter 4.6. Mandatory Expedited Jury Trials in Limited Civil Cases · Enacted 2015 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 630.23 sets the default mandatory expedited jury trial rules -- five hours per side for voir dire and case presentation, eight jurors plus one alternate, four peremptory challenges per side -- while letting the parties modify those rules with the court's approval.
Full Text of § 630.23
(a) Each side shall have up to five hours in which to complete voir dire and to present its case.
(b) The jury shall be composed of eight jurors and one alternate, unless the parties have agreed to fewer jurors.
(c) Each side shall be limited to four peremptory challenges, unless the court permits an additional challenge in cases with more than two sides. If there are more than two parties in a case and more than two sides, as determined by the court under subdivision (c) of Section 231, the parties may request one additional peremptory challenge each, which is to be granted by the court as the interests of justice may require.
(d) The parties may agree to modify the rules and procedures specified in this chapter and the implementing rules of court, subject to the court's approval.
Plain-English Summary
Each side gets up to five hours to complete voir dire and present its case — the same time cap the voluntary chapter uses. The jury itself is slightly larger than its voluntary counterpart: eight jurors plus one alternate, unless the parties have agreed to fewer jurors.
Peremptory challenges run four per side, one more than the three allowed under the voluntary chapter's § 630.04, with the same additional-challenge option in cases with more than two sides. And because a mandatory process still needs some flexibility, subdivision (d) lets the parties agree to modify any of these rules and procedures, subject to the court's approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time does each side get for voir dire and presenting its case?
Up to five hours, the same limit used in the voluntary expedited jury trial chapter.
How many jurors sit on a mandatory expedited jury trial?
Eight jurors plus one alternate, unless the parties have agreed to fewer jurors — one more juror role than the voluntary version, which uses no alternates.
How many peremptory challenges does each side get?
Four, one more than the voluntary chapter allows, with an additional challenge available in cases with more than two sides.
Can the parties change these default rules?
Yes, subject to the court's approval under subdivision (d).
Amendment History
Added by Stats 2015 ch 330 (AB 555),s 5, eff. 1/1/2016.
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: mandatory expedited jury trial rules californialimited civil jury trial procedures