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Rule 2-520 – Instructions to the Jury

May 13, 2021 | Civil Prodcedure, Maryland

(a) When Given. The court shall give instructions to the jury at the conclusion of all the evidence and before closing arguments and may supplement them at a later time when appropriate. In its discretion, the court may also give opening and interim instructions.
(b) Written Requests. The parties may file written requests for instructions at or before the close of the evidence and shall do so at any time fixed by the court.
(c) How Given. The court may instruct the jury, orally or in writing or both, by granting requested instructions, by giving instructions of its own, or by combining any of these methods. The court need not grant a requested instruction if the matter is fairly covered by instructions actually given.
(d) Reference to Evidence. In instructing the jury, the court may refer to or summarize the evidence in order to present clearly the issues to be decided. In that event, the court shall instruct the jury that it is the sole judge of the facts, the weight of the evidence, and the credibility of the witnesses.
(e) Objections. No party may assign as error the giving or the failure to give an instruction unless the party objects on the record promptly after the court instructs the jury, stating distinctly the matter to which the party objects and the grounds of the objection. Upon request of any party, the court shall receive objections out of the hearing of the jury.

Md. R. Civ. P. Cir. Ct. 2-520

This Rule is derived as follows:

Section (a) is new.

Section (b) is derived from former Rule 554 a.

Section (c) is derived from former Rule 554 b 1.

Section (d) is derived from former Rules 554 b 2 and 757 c.

Section (e) is derived from former Rule 554 d and the 1937 version of Fed. R. Civ. P. 51.

Adopted April 6, 1984, eff. July 1, 1984. Amended Nov. 12, 2003, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.

HISTORICAL NOTES

2003 Orders

The November 12, 2003, order amended the source note.