(a) Right Preserved. The right of trial by jury as declared by the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution—or as provided by a federal statute—is preserved to the parties inviolate.
(b) Demand. On any issue triable of right by a jury, a party may demand a jury trial by:
(1) serving the other parties with a written demand—which may be included in a pleading—no later than 14 days after the last pleading directed to the issue is served; and
(2) filing the demand in accordance with Rule 5(d).
(c) Specifying Issues. In its demand, a party may specify the issues that it wishes to have tried by a jury; otherwise, it is considered to have demanded a jury trial on all the issues so triable. If the party has demanded a jury trial on only some issues, any other party may—within 14 days after being served with the demand or within a shorter time ordered by the court—serve a demand for a jury trial on any other or all factual issues triable by jury.
(d) Waiver; Withdrawal. A party waives a jury trial unless its demand is properly served and filed. A proper demand may be withdrawn only if the parties consent.
(e) Admiralty and Maritime Claims. These rules do not create a right to a jury trial on issues in a claim that is an admiralty or maritime claim under Rule 9(h).
Summary and Explanation
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 38 addresses the right to a jury trial in civil cases, preserving this fundamental aspect of the American legal system within the framework of federal court procedures. Here’s a concise summary and explanation:
Summary
- Right Preserved: The rule affirms the right of the parties to a jury trial in civil actions where such a right exists under the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution or under federal statute. This right applies to cases that involve legal claims, as opposed to those that are purely equitable in nature.
- Demand: A party may demand a jury trial on any issue triable of right by a jury by serving the other parties with a written demand, which must be filed no later than 14 days after the last pleading directed to the issue. This demand must be specific about the issues that the party wants tried by a jury.
- Specifying Issues: If a party has demanded a jury trial on only some of the issues, other parties may serve a demand for a jury trial on any other or all factual issues triable by jury within 14 days after being served with the first demand.
- Waiver: The right to a jury trial is waived if a party fails to make a demand as specified. Furthermore, failure to demand a jury trial according to the rule’s provisions results in a waiver of the right for those issues.
- Court’s Role: The court may, on its own motion or on the motion of any party, order a jury trial on any issue for which a jury might have been demanded, thereby ensuring the preservation of the right even if procedural mistakes were made.
Explanation
Rule 38 serves to protect the constitutional right to a jury trial in civil litigation, ensuring that parties can have factual disputes decided by a jury of their peers rather than a judge alone. By requiring a timely and specific demand for a jury trial, the rule seeks to clarify the issues that will be tried by a jury early in the litigation process, facilitating proper preparation for trial.
The distinction between legal and equitable claims is crucial under Rule 38. Historically, only legal claims (e.g., claims for monetary damages) were entitled to a jury trial, while equitable claims (e.g., injunctions, specific performance) were decided by a judge. Rule 38 upholds this distinction.
Waiver provisions underscore the importance of adhering to procedural requirements. However, the rule also provides a safety net, allowing courts discretion to order a jury trial to prevent injustice, thereby balancing procedural rigor with substantive fairness.
Overall, Rule 38 embodies a commitment to preserving the jury trial right in civil litigation, acknowledging its role as a cornerstone of the American legal system and a protector of litigants’ rights.
History
(As amended Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007; Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009.)
Notes of Advisory Committee on Rules—1937
This rule provides for the preservation of the constitutional right of trial by jury as directed in the enabling act (act of June 19, 1934, 48 Stat. 1064, U.S.C., Title 28, §723c [see 2072]), and it and the next rule make definite provision for claim and waiver of jury trial, following the method used in many American states and in England and the British Dominions. Thus the claim must be made at once on initial pleading or appearance under Ill.Rev.Stat. (1937) ch. 110, §188; 6 Tenn.Code Ann. (Williams, 1934) §8734; compare Wyo.Rev.Stat.Ann. (1931) §89–1320 (with answer or reply); within 10 days after the pleadings are completed or the case is at issue under 2 Conn.Gen.Stat. (1930) §5624; Hawaii Rev.Laws (1935) §4101; 2 Mass.Gen.Laws (Ter.Ed. 1932) ch. 231, §60; 3 Mich.Comp.Laws (1929) §14263; Mich.Court Rules Ann. (Searl, 1933) Rule 33 (15 days); England (until 1933) O. 36, r.r. 2 and 6; and Ontario Jud.Act (1927) §57(1) (4 days, or, where prior notice of trial, 2 days from such notice); or at a definite time varying under different codes, from 10 days before notice of trial to 10 days after notice, or, as in many, when the case is called for assignment, Ariz.Rev.Code Ann. (Struckmeyer, 1928) §3802; Calif.Code Civ.Proc. (Deering, 1937) §631, par. 4; Iowa Code (1935) §10724; 4 Nev.Comp.Laws (Hillyer, 1929) §8782; N.M.Stat.Ann. (Courtright, 1929) §105–814; N.Y.C.P.A. (1937) §426, subdivision 5 (applying to New York, Bronx, Richmond, Kings, and Queens Counties); R.I.Pub.Laws (1929), ch. 1327, amending R.I.Gen.Laws (1923) ch. 337, §6; Utah Rev.Stat.Ann. (1933) §104–23–6; 2 Wash.Rev.Stat.Ann. (Remington, 1932) §316; England (4 days after notice of trial), Administration of Justice Act (1933) §6 and amended rule under the Judicature Act (The Annual Practice, 1937), O. 36, r. 1; Australia High Court Procedure Act (1921) §12, Rules, O. 33, r. 2; Alberta Rules of Ct. (1914) 172, 183, 184; British Columbia Sup.Ct.Rules (1925) O. 36, r.r. 2, 6, 11, and 16; New Brunswick Jud. Act (1927) O. 36, r.r. 2 and 5. See James, Trial by Jury and the New Federal Rules of Procedure (1936), 45 Yale L.J. 1022.
Rule 81(c) provides for claim for jury trial in removed actions.
The right to trial by jury as declared in U.S.C., Title 28, §770 [now 1873] (Trial of issues of fact; by jury; exceptions), and similar statutes, is unaffected by this rule. This rule modifies U.S.C., Title 28, [former] §773 (Trial of issues of fact; by court).
Notes of Advisory Committee on Rules—1966 Amendment
See Note to Rule 9(h), supra.
Notes of Advisory Committee on Rules—1987 Amendment
The amendments are technical. No substantive change is intended.
Notes of Advisory Committee on Rules—1993 Amendment
Language requiring the filing of a jury demand as provided in subdivision (d) is added to subdivision (b) to eliminate an apparent ambiguity between the two subdivisions. For proper scheduling of cases, it is important that jury demands not only be served on other parties, but also be filed with the court.
Committee Notes on Rules—2007 Amendment
The language of Rule 38 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Civil Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only.
Committee Notes on Rules—2009 Amendment
The times set in the former rule at 10 days have been revised to 14 days. See the Note to Rule 6.