Legal Definitions - request for instructions

A Request for Instructions (RFI) is a formal, written submission made by one of the parties in a lawsuit to the trial judge.

During a trial, particularly before the jury begins its deliberations, the judge provides the jury with "instructions" on the law. These instructions guide the jury on how to apply legal principles to the facts they have heard during the trial. A Request for Instructions is a party's opportunity to propose specific legal rules or interpretations that they believe the judge should include in the final instructions given to the jury. The goal is to ensure the jury is properly informed about the law relevant to the case, which can significantly influence their verdict.

Here are some examples of how a Request for Instructions might be used:

• Example 1: Contract Dispute

  In a lawsuit where a small business is suing a supplier for failing to deliver goods as promised, the plaintiff's attorney might submit an RFI asking the judge to instruct the jury on the legal definition of a "material breach" of contract. This request would ensure the jury understands the specific legal standard for determining if the supplier's actions were severe enough to constitute a fundamental violation of the agreement.

• Example 2: Personal Injury Case

  During a trial involving a car accident where a pedestrian was injured, the defendant driver's attorney might submit an RFI requesting that the judge instruct the jury on the concept of "comparative negligence." This instruction would explain to the jury that if they find the pedestrian also contributed to their own injuries (e.g., by crossing outside a crosswalk), any damages awarded could be reduced proportionally. This illustrates a party seeking to introduce a legal defense for the jury's consideration.

• Example 3: Intellectual Property Infringement

  In a case where a software company alleges that a competitor copied their unique program code, the plaintiff's legal team might submit an RFI asking the judge to instruct the jury on the specific elements required to prove copyright infringement. This would guide the jury on what facts they must find to be true (e.g., originality of the work, access by the defendant, substantial similarity) in order to conclude that infringement occurred, thereby ensuring the jury applies the correct legal framework to the technical evidence presented.