The verdict of a jury is either general or special. A general verdict is one by which the jury pronounces generally upon all or any of the issues, either in favor of the plaintiff or defendant, and includes a verdict wherein the jury returns a finding of the plaintiff’s total damages and assesses percentages of fault. A special verdict is one by which the jury finds the facts only, leaving the judgment to the court.
Rule 71.01.Verdict of Jury--General or Special.
Part I · Rule 71: Verdicts · Last amended July 1, 1987 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceRule 71.01 defines a general verdict as the jury pronouncing generally in favor of the plaintiff or defendant, including a verdict finding total damages and assessing percentages of fault, and defines a special verdict as the jury finding only the facts and leaving judgment to the court.
Full Text of Rule 71.01
Amendment History
Amended Oct. 16, 1986, eff. July 1, 1987.
Official Comment
This Rule is the same as Section 106 of the 1943 Code ( Section 510.220, RSMo 1959). Compare: Rule 49, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 71.01 gives Missouri civil practice its basic verdict vocabulary. A general verdict is the more familiar kind: the jury decides generally on all or any of the issues, in favor of the plaintiff or the defendant. The rule specifically folds comparative-fault verdicts into this category — a verdict that finds the plaintiff's total damages and assesses percentages of fault still counts as a general verdict.
A special verdict works differently. There, the jury finds only the facts, and it's left to the court to apply the law to those facts and enter judgment. The rule doesn't say when each type is used — that's addressed by the rules that follow, including Rule 71.02's requirement of a general verdict in money and specific-property cases and Rule 71.06's requirement that the jury assess the amount of recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a general verdict and a special verdict?
A general verdict has the jury decide 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 enter judgment.
Does a comparative-fault verdict count as a general verdict?
Yes, the rule specifically includes a verdict that finds the plaintiff's total damages and assesses percentages of fault within the definition of a general verdict.
Who enters judgment based on a special verdict?
The court, since a special verdict finds only the facts and leaves the judgment to the court.
Which type of verdict is required in a case seeking only money damages?
Rule 71.02 requires a general verdict in every case for recovery of money only or specific real or personal property.
Does this rule require the jury to state percentages of fault?
The rule recognizes that a general verdict can include findings of total damages and fault percentages; the separate assessment requirement comes from Rule 71.06.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Missouri State & Federal Court Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Missouri. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
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