§ RULE 2.514 SPECIAL VERDICTS

Codes > Michigan Court Rules > Chapter 2 > Subchapter 2.500 > RULE 2.514

RULE 2.514 SPECIAL VERDICTS

(A) Use of Special Verdicts; Form. The court may require the jury to return a special verdict in the form of a written finding on each issue of fact, rather than a general verdict. If a special verdict is required, the court shall, in advance of argument and in the absence of the jury, advise the attorneys of this fact and, on the record or in writing, settle the form of the verdict. The court may submit to the jury:

(1) written questions that may be answered categorically and briefly;

(2) written forms of the several special findings that might properly be made under the pleadings and evidence; or

(3) the issues by another method, and require the written findings it deems most appropriate.

The court shall give to the jury the necessary explanation and instruction concerning the matter submitted to enable the jury to make its findings on each issue.

(B) Judgment. After a special verdict is returned, the court shall enter judgment in accordance with the jury's findings.

(C) Failure to Submit Question; Waiver; Findings by Court. If the court omits from the special verdict form an issue of fact raised by the pleadings or the evidence, a party waives the right to a trial by jury of the issue omitted unless before the jury retires the party demands its submission to the jury. The court may make a finding as to an issue omitted without a demand; or, if the court fails to do so, it is deemed to have made a finding in accord with the judgment on the special verdict.