(a) When trial by jury has been had, judgment must be entered by the clerk, in conformity to the verdict within 24 hours after the rendition of the verdict, whether or not a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict be pending, unless the court order the case to be reserved for argument or further consideration, or grant a stay of proceedings. If the trial has been had by the court, judgment must be entered by the clerk, in conformity to the decision of the court, immediately upon the filing of such decision. In no case is a judgment effectual for any purpose until entered.
§ 664.Trial By Jury Had
Title 8. Of the Trial and Judgment In Civil Actions · Chapter 8. The Manner of Giving and Entering Judgment · Last amended 2026 · Last verified July 28, 2026
This section prints two full, separately-dated versions in the official compilation (a pending-amendment straddle); both are shown below.
In one sentenceSection 664 requires the clerk to enter judgment on a jury verdict within 24 hours unless the court reserves the case or stays proceedings; the version effective until January 1, 2027 requires immediate entry after a court trial, while the version operative that date instead allows 30 days after the decision or statement of decision becomes final, and no judgment is effectual until entered.
Full Text of § 664
§ 664. Trial By Jury Had — Effective Until 1/1/2027
(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.
§ 664. Trial By Jury Had — Operative 1/1/2027
(a) When trial by jury has been had, judgment must be entered by the clerk, in conformity to the verdict within 24 hours after the rendition of the verdict, whether or not a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict is pending, unless the court orders the case to be reserved for argument or further consideration, or grants a stay of proceedings.
(b) If the trial has been had by the court, judgment must be entered by the clerk, in conformity to the decision of the court, by the following dates:
(1) If no statement of decision is requested, within 30 days after the filing of the court's decision.
(2) If a statement of decision is requested, within 30 days after the statement of decision becomes final.
(c) In no case is a judgment effectual for any purpose until entered.
(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2027.
Plain-English Summary
Section 664 fixes the moment a judgment becomes official: entry by the clerk, not the moment the judge or jury decides. For a jury verdict, the clerk must enter judgment within 24 hours of the verdict — whether or not a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict is pending — unless the court orders the case reserved for argument or further consideration under § 665, or stays the proceedings.
This section carries two versions on the books at once. The version in effect until January 1, 2027 requires the clerk to enter judgment on a court decision (a bench trial) immediately upon the decision being filed. The version that becomes operative on January 1, 2027 replaces that immediate-entry rule with fixed windows: 30 days after the court's decision is filed if no statement of decision was requested, or 30 days after the statement of decision becomes final if one was requested. Both versions agree on the bedrock rule that closes the section: a judgment is not effectual for any purpose until it's entered.
The 2027 change gives courts breathing room to finalize a statement of decision and enter a matching judgment, rather than treating entry as an instant clerical act the moment a decision is filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly must judgment be entered after a jury verdict?
Within 24 hours of the verdict, unless the court reserves the case for further consideration or stays the proceedings.
Does a pending motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict delay entry after a jury verdict?
No, entry proceeds within 24 hours regardless of whether that motion is pending.
When must the clerk enter judgment after a bench trial?
Under the version in effect until January 1, 2027, immediately upon the court's decision being filed. Under the version operative January 1, 2027, within 30 days of the decision, or of the statement of decision becoming final if one was requested.
Is a judgment effective before it's entered?
No. Both versions of § 664 state that a judgment isn't effectual for any purpose until entered.
Amendment History
Effective Until 1/1/2027
Amended by Stats 2025 ch 559 (AB 515),s 3, eff. 1/1/2026. Amended by Stats. 1977, Ch. 1257.
Operative 1/1/2027
Added by Stats 2025 ch 559 (AB 515),s 4, eff. 1/1/2026.
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
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