CACI 103 Multiple Parties
California Civil Jury Instructions CACI
103 Multiple Parties
[There are [number] plaintiffs in this trial. You should decide the case of each plaintiff separately as if it were a separate lawsuit. Each plaintiff is entitled to separate consideration of that plaintiff’s own claim(s).]
[There are [number] defendants in this trial. You should decide the case against each defendant separately as if it were a separate lawsuit. Each defendant is entitled to separate consideration of that defendant’s own defenses.]
[Different aspects of this case involve different parties (plaintiffs and defendants). Each instruction will identify the parties to whom it applies. Pay particular attention to the parties named in each instruction.]
[or]
[Unless I tell you otherwise, all instructions apply to each plaintiff and defendant.]
New September 2003; Revised April 2009, May 2020
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Directions for Use
The CACI instructions require the use of party names rather than party-status words like “plaintiff” and “defendant.” In multiparty cases, it is important to name only the parties in each instruction to whom the instruction applies. For example, an instruction on loss of consortium (see CACI No. 3920) will not apply to all plaintiffs. Instructions on vicarious liability (see CACI No. 3700 et seq.) will not apply to all defendants. Unless all or nearly all of the instructions will apply to all of the parties, give the first option for the last paragraph.
Sources and Authority
• “We realize, of course, that multiple defendants are involved and that each defendant is entitled to instructions on, and separate consideration of, every defense available and applicable to it. The purpose of this rule is to insure that the jury will distinguish and evaluate the separate facts relevant to each defendant.” (Campbell v. Southern Pacific Co. (1978) 22 Cal.3d 51, 58 [148 Cal.Rptr. 596, 583 P.2d 121], internal citations omitted.)