(978) 979-1223

ccobb@silverlakelegal.com

CONTACT

(978) 979-1223

ccobb@silverlakelegal.com

Silver Lake Legal

Construction, Insurance & Business Attorney Boston

CONTACT
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Jury Verdicts Are Rare in Massachusetts Civil Cases
  • charleswcobb
  • November 4, 2016
  • 3:11 pm
  • 0 comments

Civil lawsuits in Massachusetts almost never get decided by juries. Fewer than 1.4% of all Superior Court Civil cases in 2015 actually ended with jury decisions.  In the Superior Court, where jurisdiction depends on a dispute over more than $25,000, almost 20,000 civil (non-criminal) cases were disposed of in 2015 (the last year for which statistics are available).  (19,789 actually)

Only 271 cases ended with a verdict reached by a jury.

Often mediators press parties to weigh the cost of going through to verdict, rather than agreeing to a compromise settlement.  Mediation allows parties to create their own result, while verdicts are given by twelve "good and ordinary members" of the venire or local populace. juryverdictscivilcasesma2015

Among the big reasons to reach an agreement to resolve a case are the costs and uncertainty of jury verdicts.

Decisions about settlement can be aided by knowing that under 1.4% of big money civil Superior Court cases filed in Massachusetts resulted in a jury verdict.

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Charles W. Cobb

Attorney at Law


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320 Nevada Street Ste 301,

Newton MA 02460

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ccobb@silverlakelegal.com

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(978) 979-1223

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