(a) Except as provided in subparagraph (b) below, juries in civil cases shall
consist, initially, of eight members. Trials in such cases shall continue so
long as at least six jurors remain in service. If the number of jurors falls below
six, a mistrial shall be declared upon prompt application by any party then
on the record, unless the parties stipulate that the verdict may be taken
from the number of jurors then remaining.
(b) Whenever it appears likely that the trial will be unusually protracted, or
whenever the court in its discretion determines that the interests of justice
so require, the jury may be enlarged to include as many as twelve (12)
members, but not more than twelve (12) persons shall participate in the
deliberations of the jury, nor may any verdict be rendered by a jury
consisting of more than twelve (12) persons, or fewer than six (6) persons.
