Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Order for Summary Jury Trial

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

ORDER FOR SUMMARY JURY TRIAL

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY

LAW DIVISION

County

Docket Number

(to be filled in by the court)

PLAINTIFF

v.

DEFENDANT

CIVIL ACTION

ORDER FOR SUMMARY JURY TRIAL

This matter having been reviewed by the court at a Summary Jury Trial Prehearing Conference and the court having determined that this matter appropriate for submission to a Summary Jury Trial and; Counsel having voluntarily agreed to participate in this procedure:

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that a Summary Jury Trial be held on 20 at . In the event this matter does not settle as a result of this Summary Jury Trial, a full trial will commence on 20 at . This date shall be considered a firm and preemptory trial date.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties will be bound by the Rules of Procedure for Summary Jury Trial except, or in addition to, the following stipulations:

A. Time for opening and closing arguments;

Plaintiff
Defendant

B. Proposed jury charge will be as follows:

C. List of witnesses to be introduced by reference:

D. List of all physical exhibits, documents and expert reports to be introduced:

E. Any special problems or considerations pertaining to this Summary Jury Trial:

The parties do hereby consent
to the entry of this order:

J.S.C.

Plaintiff

Print Name

Attorney for Plaintiff

Print Name

Plaintiff

Print Name

Attorney for Plaintiff

Print Name

Plaintiff

Print Name

Attorney for Plaintiff

Print Name

Defendant

Print Name

Attorney for Defendant

Print Name

Defendant

Print Name

Attorney for Defendant

Print Name

Defendant

Print Name

Attorney for Defendant

Print Name

Enter text✕
Prepare your document for signing right on this page
  • 01 Edit the text and complete the fields
  • 02 Click Sign Now and on the next screen add recipients and signature fields in SignNow
  • 03 Start your free trial to sign and send your doc
Sign Now

What an Order for Summary Jury Trial Is

An Order for Summary Jury Trial is a court-issued directive that schedules a shortened, nonbinding jury proceeding designed to surface factual disputes, promote settlement, and narrow issues before a full trial. The order defines scope, permitted evidence, time limits, and whether the jury's verdict will be advisory or have binding effect. Procedures and acceptance of summary jury trials vary by jurisdiction and local rule; parties should confirm the controlling federal or state rule and any applicable standing order before proceeding.

Why Courts and Parties Use a Summary Jury Trial Order

A clear Order for Summary Jury Trial helps parties test their case before a jury, focus discovery, and often encourages earlier settlement while conserving resources compared with a full jury trial.

Why Courts and Parties Use a Summary Jury Trial Order

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Order

Judges, civil litigants, and trial counsel commonly use Orders for Summary Jury Trial to evaluate case strengths and explore settlement opportunities before a full trial.

  • Plaintiffs and defendants — to test damages, liability, and settlement appetite in front of a jury prior to full trial preparation.
  • Trial attorneys — to narrow contested issues, limit discovery scope, and conserve pretrial resources while preserving appellate rights.
  • Magistrate and district judges — to manage crowded dockets and encourage resolution without a lengthy jury trial.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional Order for Summary Jury Trial

A professional order clearly states the proceeding's purpose, scope, schedule, evidence rules, jury instructions, the verdict's legal effect, and required post-SJT steps to avoid ambiguity.

Caption

Include the court name, full case caption, and docket number so the order is properly associated with the underlying civil action and accepted by the clerk.

Scope

Define the precise issues to be presented to the jury, listed claims or defenses, permitted witness types, and any excluded categories of evidence.

Schedule

Specify the hearing date, estimated duration, deadlines for exhibit and instruction submissions, and how the SJT fits with existing trial dates.

Instructions

Identify legal standards and proposed jury instructions; state whether the court will supply a model charge or use party-submitted instructions.

Verdict Effect

State whether the jury's findings are advisory, binding, or effective only for settlement purposes and any conditions for court acceptance.

Post-SJT Steps

Outline how the court will use the verdict, procedures for settlement conferences, and scheduling for any follow-on motion practice.

Step-by-Step: Preparing and Submitting the Order

Follow a consistent sequence to draft, circulate, file, and implement an Order for Summary Jury Trial to reduce filings and procedural disputes.

  • 01
    Draft: Draft the proposed order with clear scope, timeline, and proposed jury instructions.
  • 02
    Meet-and-Confer: Meet and confer to identify objections and party availability before filing to expedite court consideration.
  • 03
    File: File the proposed order per local e-filing procedures and serve opposing counsel as required.
  • 04
    Hearing: Attend the SJT scheduling hearing and obtain the judge's signed or endorsed order for docketing.

Recommended Online Workflow Settings for Drafting and Circulating the Order

These fields map common online settings to recommended configurations for preparing and routing a court-ready order while preserving audit trails.

Field Setting | Recommendation
Template Court template | Lock scope language
Signature Judge signature | Use accepted e-sign format
Service ECF filing | Serve all counsel electronically
Retention Archive PDF/A | Retain per retention rules

Where to File and How the Order Is Routed

Typical routing steps after a signed Order for Summary Jury Trial include filing with the court, docket entry, service on counsel, and distribution to the case file.

  • E-Filing: Upload final order to the court's e-filing system.
  • Clerk's Office: Confirm docket entry and retain a stamped copy.
  • Service: Serve all counsel electronically or by methods required by local rules.
  • Record: Attach the signed order to the official case file and supporting exhibits.

Digital Signing and eSubmission Requirements

Electronic signatures and e-filing must comply with court local rules and federal law (ESIGN/UETA) when used for orders; verify acceptable methods with the clerk.

  • Authentication: Email, SMS code, or KBA verification.
  • Audit Trail: Timestamps, IP address, signer identity.
  • Integrations: CM/ECF and case management integrations.

Common Deadlines and Timing Considerations

Deadlines for moving for and conducting a summary jury trial vary by court; the items below reflect typical timeframes used for planning purposes and compliance with many local rules.

Motion to Set SJT:

File proposed order and supporting materials often 30 or more days before the scheduled trial.

Opposition Deadline:

Typical responses are due within 14 days after service of the motion or proposed order.

Prehearing Submissions:

Exhibits, witness lists, and jury instructions usually due seven days before the SJT.

Hearing Date:

Court schedules the SJT; the proceeding is often limited to a single day.

Post-SJT Briefing:

Any objections or acceptance of the verdict commonly due within seven to fourteen days.

Key Milestones from Filing to Resolution

Use this sequence to track the order's lifecycle and coordinate filings, service, the proceeding itself, and follow-up actions.

01

File Motion

Submit the proposed order and supporting memorandum to the court.

02

Service & Response

Serve opposing counsel and await objections or stipulations.

03

Conduct SJT

Hold the shortened jury proceeding according to the order's limits.

04

Resolve or Proceed

Use the verdict to mediate, or proceed to full trial as appropriate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Drafting or Filing the Order

  • Vague scope language — failing to narrowly define issues can produce unfocused jury findings and reduce the SJT's value for settlement or dispositive motions.
  • Improper notice — inadequate service or failure to comply with local notice periods may prompt motions to vacate or sanctions.
  • Evidence disputes — admitting contested exhibits without prehearing rulings can create objections and limit the SJT's usefulness.
  • Binding ambiguity — not specifying whether the verdict is advisory or binding often triggers post-SJT litigation and inefficiency.

Penalties and Risks of an Incorrect or Defective Order

Waiver Risk: Potentially waive trial issues.
Sanctions: Court may impose sanctions.
Preclusion: Verdict can limit claims.
Appeal Limits: May narrow appeal scope.
Costs: Additional hearing expenses.
Confidentiality: Settlement discussions may be public.

Required Order Details and Administrative Data

Case Caption: Court name, docket, parties.
Order Date: Enter effective date as MM/DD/YYYY.
Hearing Date: Include time and estimated duration.
Scope Statement: Clear, concise list of issues.
Signatures: Judge signature block and date.
Service List: All counsel and parties served.

eSignature Vendor Pricing Snapshot for Executing Court Orders

A concise comparison of common eSignature vendors and plan-level starting prices to help courts and legal teams evaluate options for executing and distributing signed orders.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently Asked Questions About Orders for Summary Jury Trial

Answers to common procedural and technical questions about drafting, signing, filing, and enforcing an Order for Summary Jury Trial in U.S. civil practice.


Need help? Contact support

Explore Templates

Last Will and Testament Form Hawaii Life Documents Planning Package Missouri Mutual Wills Package for Married Couple with Adult Children Texas Will Instructions for Married Couple Arkansas Unlawful Detainer Form California Eviction Notice
be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users
Sign Now
Company
Forms
Pricing
Resources
Knowledge base
Other Products
© 2026 airSlate Inc. All rights reserved.