Upon election of the parties, the court shall schedule a summary jury trial to be held as soon as convenient. Notice shall be given to the parties by means adequate to ensure their presence at the time and place of the trial. Seven jurors shall be randomly selected in accordance with the procedures specified in Chapter 11 (§ 8.01-336 et seq.). Fees shall be allowed to jurors selected for a summary jury trial as provided in § 17.1-618.
§ 8.01-576.2.Summary jury trial; selection of jury; fees.
Chapter 20.1. Summary Jury Trial · Last amended 1988 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceOnce parties elect a summary jury trial, the court schedules it promptly, gives the parties adequate notice, randomly selects seven jurors under the same procedures used for regular civil juries, and pays those jurors the fees set out in § 17.1-618.
Full Text of § 8.01-576.2
Plain-English Summary
After the parties elect a summary jury trial under § 8.01-576.1, this section moves the case toward an actual jury panel. The court schedules the proceeding to happen as soon as convenient, and makes sure the parties get notice adequate to guarantee they will be present at the time and place set.
The jury itself is not some improvised panel — it is drawn the same way an ordinary civil jury is, through the random-selection procedures in Chapter 11 (§ 8.01-336 et seq.), except that a summary jury trial uses seven jurors. And because these jurors are doing real jury service even though the verdict may end up non-binding, the statute makes sure they are paid: fees are allowed to them under § 17.1-618, the same as jurors receive elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after the parties elect a summary jury trial must the court schedule it?
As soon as convenient.
How many jurors are selected for a summary jury trial?
Seven jurors.
How are the jurors chosen?
They are randomly selected in accordance with the procedures specified in Chapter 11 (§ 8.01-336 et seq.).
Are jurors paid for serving in a summary jury trial?
Yes, fees are allowed to jurors selected for a summary jury trial as provided in § 17.1-618.
What kind of notice must the parties receive about the trial date?
Notice given by means adequate to ensure their presence at the time and place of the trial.
Amendment History
1988, c. 759.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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