The verdict of a jury is either general or special. A general verdict is that by which they pronounce generally upon all or any of the issues, either in favor of the plaintiff or defendant; a special verdict is that by which the jury find the facts only, leaving the judgment to the Court. The special verdict must present the conclusions of fact as established by the evidence, and not the evidence to prove them; and those conclusions of fact must be so presented as that nothing shall remain to the Court but to draw from them conclusions of law.
§ 624.General and Special Verdict
Title 8. Of the Trial and Judgment In Civil Actions · Chapter 4. Trial by Jury · Article 3. The Verdict · Enacted 1872 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 624 divides jury verdicts into general verdicts, which pronounce for the plaintiff or defendant on the issues generally, and special verdicts, which present the jury's factual conclusions alone so that only legal conclusions remain for the court to draw.
Full Text of § 624
Plain-English Summary
This section defines the two forms a jury verdict can take. A general verdict is the familiar kind — the jury pronounces generally on all or any of the issues, in favor of either the plaintiff or the defendant, without breaking out the underlying facts.
A special verdict works differently: the jury finds the facts only, and leaves the judgment itself to the court. To do that job properly, the special verdict must present the conclusions of fact the evidence established — not the evidence itself — and those factual conclusions have to be laid out so completely that nothing remains for the court but to draw the legal conclusions that follow from them.
Section 625 gives the court authority to direct a special verdict, and § 625 also explains what happens when a special finding and a general verdict don't line up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a general and a special verdict?
A general verdict pronounces generally in favor of the plaintiff or defendant on the issues. A special verdict has the jury find only the facts, leaving the court to draw the legal conclusions and enter judgment.
What must a special verdict contain?
The jury's conclusions of fact as established by the evidence — not the evidence itself — presented so completely that nothing remains but for the court to draw conclusions of law from them.
Who decides whether the jury renders a general or special verdict?
The court can direct a special verdict under § 625; absent that direction, the jury renders a general verdict.
Amendment History
Enacted 1872.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: general verdict vs special verdict californiajury verdict types