However, some civil cases can only be tried before a judge, either because of limitations that the law imposes on a right to jury trial, or because of a contractual provision waiving jury trial that the parties have signed. Most cases settle before trial. However, a certain percentage of cases require resolution by a jury or the judge. Before a case is tried, there is discovery conducted in the form of interrogatories, requests to produce documents, and depositions, so the parties know the facts before entering the courtroom to try the case. The trials themselves, especially jury trials, are formal proceedings that require knowledge of the law. Trials also involve the application of the rules of evidence. These rules have been developed over time to ensure, as much as possible, that the evidence admitted, whether testimony or documentation, is relevant and properly authenticated. Trials can be expensive, stressful, and often times the results are unpredictable. However, trials, especially the right to trial by jury, continue to be one of the important foundations of our free society. If you have a legal dispute that may require a trial to resolve, then knowledgeable trial lawyers are here to help you.