In all trials in civil actions in any court in this state, a verdict shall be rendered if five-sixths or more of the members of the jury concur therein, and such verdict shall have the same force and effect as though agreed to by all members of the jury; Provided, that a verdict concurred in by less than all members of the jury shall not be rendered until the jury shall have had an opportunity for deliberation and consideration of the case for a period of not less than six hours after the same is submitted to said jury. If a verdict be concurred in by all the members of the jury, the foreman alone may sign it, but if rendered by a less number, such verdict shall be signed by all the jurors who shall agree to the verdict.
§ 25-1125.Five-sixths verdict; jurors to sign.
Article 11: Trial · Last amended 1921 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceIn Nebraska civil trials, a verdict agreed to by five-sixths or more of the jury has the same force as a unanimous verdict, but a non-unanimous verdict cannot be rendered until the jury has deliberated for at least six hours, and it must be signed by every juror who agreed to it.
Full Text of § 25-1125
Source
Laws 1921, c. 124, § 1, p. 534; C.S.1922, § 8808; C.S.1929, § 20-1125; R.S.1943, § 25-1125.
Plain-English Summary
Nebraska does not require every civil jury verdict to be unanimous. Section 25-1125 allows a verdict to be rendered when five-sixths or more of the jurors concur, and that verdict carries the same force and effect as one agreed to by every member of the jury.
The statute builds in a safeguard against a rushed non-unanimous verdict: a verdict concurred in by less than all the jurors cannot be rendered until the jury has had an opportunity for deliberation and consideration of the case for at least six hours after the case is submitted to them. That minimum deliberation period applies specifically to verdicts that fall short of unanimity — it gives the dissenting juror or jurors real time to be heard before the majority can proceed without them.
Signature requirements track the same distinction. If every juror agrees to the verdict, the foreman alone may sign it. If the verdict is reached by fewer than all the jurors, every juror who joined in the verdict must sign it, so the record shows exactly who agreed and who did not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Nebraska civil jury verdict have to be unanimous?
No. Section 25-1125 allows a verdict concurred in by five-sixths or more of the jurors, which has the same force and effect as a unanimous verdict.
How long must the jury deliberate before returning a non-unanimous verdict?
At least six hours after the case is submitted to them, before a verdict concurred in by less than all the jurors can be rendered.
Does the six-hour deliberation requirement apply to unanimous verdicts too?
The statute ties the six-hour minimum specifically to verdicts concurred in by less than all the jurors; a unanimous verdict is not subject to that same waiting period.
Who signs the verdict if all twelve jurors agree?
The foreman alone may sign it when the verdict is concurred in by all members of the jury.
Who signs the verdict if only ten of twelve jurors agree?
Every juror who agreed to the verdict must sign it when the verdict is rendered by less than the full jury.
What fraction of the jury needs to agree for a five-sixths verdict?
Five-sixths or more of the jury’s members must concur for the verdict to have the same force and effect as a unanimous one.
Source & verification. Section text and the amendment-history citation are
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Legislature, Revisor of Statutes, enacted by the
Nebraska Legislature. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
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