In civil cases, what fraction of jurors must agree for a verdict to be rendered?

In civil cases, the requirement for a verdict to be reached typically is that a majority of jurors must agree on the outcome, and this is often quantified as a 5/6 majority in New York. This means that if there are six jurors, at least five must agree for the jury to render a verdict.

The reasoning behind requiring a 5/6 decision instead of a simple majority (like half) reflects the need for a clear consensus among jurors in matters of civil liability, where the stakes may still be significant—even if not as severe as in criminal cases. This higher threshold ensures that the jury's decision is more reflective of a strong consensus, thereby aiming for fairness in the adjudication of civil disputes.

Other options, such as 3/5, 4/5, and 6/6, do not meet the requirements set by the civil procedure norms in New York law for verdicts. A 3/5 split would equate to only needing three out of five jurors, and 4/5 would not reflect the majority needed for clear decisiveness. Lastly, 6/6 implies unanimity, which is not necessary in civil cases in New York. Thus, the requirement of 5