Advisory verdict

What does Advisory verdict mean in American Law?

The definition of Advisory verdict in the law of the United States, as defined by the lexicographer Arthur Leff in his legal dictionary is:

Courts sitting in equity, admiralty, etc. need not submit questions of fact to juries. Nonetheless, under certain circumstances such courts may empanel an “advisory jury” to make findings of fact which, though not technically binding on the judge, he will ordinarily accept. See, e.g., Fed. R. Civ. P. 39(c). The procedure is particularly common in maritime cases, where common-law causes of action (i.e., those for which the parties are entitled to a jury) are often tried together with causes of action

tried to the judge, with some facts being relevant to both the jury and nonjury causes.