California’s expedited jury trial (EJT)  system is mandatory for most matters filed as ”limited jurisdiction” cases, i.e. where the stakes are under $35,000.  But parties can also use the expeditious procedure for any case. Trial lasts a day or two, jury selection is rapid, and costs are low. Even in more complex cases, EJTs can be used to try a key fact issue such as statute of limitations, or agency, increasing the odds of early settlement.