Plain-English Explanation
The Seventh Amendment preserves the right to a jury trial in civil cases at common law where the amount in controversy exceeds twenty dollars, and bars courts from re-examining facts found by a jury except under common-law rules.
Relevant Provision
U.S. Const. amend. VII: 'In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.'
Relevant Decisions
Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc.
Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc., 517 U.S. 370 (1996)
Held that interpreting the scope of a patent claim is a matter for the judge, not the jury, under the Seventh Amendment.