What is a jury instruction in civil litigation?

A jury instruction in civil litigation is a set of legal instructions that a judge gives to the jury before they begin their deliberations. These instructions explain the law and the facts that the jury can consider to reach a verdict. In North Carolina, Civil Litigation Law requires Jury Instructions to be provided to the jury. Civil cases involve disputes between two or more parties such as breach of contract, libel, slander, negligence, malpractice, real estate disputes, and many others. Jury Instructions are tailored to each individual case, and their purpose is to inform the jury of the applicable laws and facts relevant to the case so that the jury can make an informed decision. The Jury Instructions are typically brief statements given to the jury by the judge, summarizing the issues of the case, and outlining the parameters of the jury’s responsibility to decide. The judge may also provide definitions of any legal terms that may be applicable to the case. The jury must then consider the evidence presented and vote on the verdict based on these instructions. Ultimately, a jury’s decision will depend heavily on the Jury Instructions provided by the judge. For this reason, Jury Instructions must be clear and comprehensive for the jury to have a fair and just outcome in civil litigation cases.

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