In all cases the jury shall find for or against each exception submitted, seriatim.
§ 9-7-20.Form of jury’s verdict
Chapter 7. Auditors · Last amended 1933 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceRequires the jury to return a separate finding for or against each exception submitted, one exception at a time, rather than issuing a single blanket verdict that covers the auditor’s entire report in one undivided sweep.
Full Text of § 9-7-20
Plain-English Summary
This section fixes the form a jury’s verdict must take when it tries exceptions of fact to an auditor’s report. Rather than a single up-or-down verdict on the report as a whole, the jury must find for or against each exception submitted, seriatim — meaning one exception at a time, in turn.
That exception-by-exception approach produces a clear record of exactly which of the auditor’s findings the jury accepted and which it rejected. The court needs that clarity to frame the final judgment or decree under 9-7-21, since a judgment reflecting “the changes made by the court or the jury” only makes sense if the record shows precisely which changes the jury made.
Frequently Asked Questions
How must the jury decide exceptions of fact?
It must find for or against each exception submitted, seriatim — one exception at a time.
Can the jury return one combined verdict covering every exception at once?
No — the text requires the jury to rule on each exception submitted, seriatim.
Does this section apply to exceptions of law?
No — it addresses the jury’s verdict, and exceptions of law go to the judge alone under 9-7-16.
Why would an exception-by-exception verdict matter to the parties?
It shows precisely which findings the jury accepted or rejected, which the court needs in order to shape the final judgment.
Does this requirement apply in every case where a jury tries exceptions?
Yes — the text states “in all cases the jury shall find for or against each exception submitted, seriatim.”
Amendment History
Ga. L. 1894, p. 123, § 20; Civil Code 1895, § 4600; Civil Code 1910, § 5146; Code 1933, § 10-406.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, published by the
Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Georgia Code Revision Commission / LexisNexis. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
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