This clause means you agree not to have your case decided by a jury of ordinary people. Instead, a judge alone will decide. In the US, the right to a jury trial is considered important, so courts take these waivers seriously—but they are legal if both sides agree. In the UK, jury trials in commercial contracts are already rare. This matters because juries can be unpredictable; judges are more consistent and understand complex business facts better. However, some people believe juries are more sympathetic to ordinary people against large companies.
This is usually safe to accept in commercial contracts between businesses, especially if the contract involves technical or financial details that a jury might struggle to understand. However, if you're a small business or individual signing with a much larger company, consider pushing back—a jury might be more sympathetic to you if things go wrong. In most cases, this clause favors whoever has more legal resources, so weigh your own situation carefully. ---
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this clause mean in simple terms?
This clause means you agree not to have your case decided by a jury of ordinary people.
Why should I care about this clause?
Instead, a judge alone will decide.
What are my options?
In the US, the right to a jury trial is considered important, so courts take these waivers seriously—but they are legal if both sides agree.
How does this affect small businesses?
In the UK, jury trials in commercial contracts are already rare.