Civil Jury Instructions: Defamation (2016-08-11)

The following proposed model Utah civil jury instructions address defamation:

CV1601 – Introductory Notes to Practitioners (not to be read to the jury).
CV1602 – Elements of a Defamation Claim.
CV1603 – Definition: Publication.
CV1604A – Definition: About the Plaintiff – Public Figure or Public Official Plaintiff – Connection to Plaintiff is Reasonable.
CV1604B – Definition: About the Plaintiff – Private Plaintiff – Matter of Public Concern – Connection to Plaintiff is Reasonable.
CV1604C – Definition: About the Plaintiff – Private Plaintiff – No Matter of Public Concern – Connection to Plaintiff is Reasonable – Negligence.
CV1604D – Definition: About the Plaintiff – Private Plaintiff – No Matter of Public Concern – Connection to Plaintiff is Reasonable – Strict Liability.
CV1604E – Definition: About the Plaintiff – Connection to Plaintiff is Unreasonable.
CV1605 – Definition: False Statement.
CV1606 – Definition: Opinion.
CV1607 – Definition: Defamatory.
CV1608 – Conditional Privilege.
CV1609 – Non-actionable Statements.
CV1610 – Definition: Requisite Degree of Fault – Private Figure – Matter of Public Concern.
CV1611 – Definition: Requisite Degree of Fault –Public Official or Public Figure.
CV1612 – Group Defamation Rule.
CV1613 – Causation.
CV1614 – Presumed Damages.
CV1615 – Damages – Economic Damages.
CV1616 – Damages – Noneconomic Damages.
CV1617 – Damages – Punitive Damages – Public Figure/Official and/or Issue of Public Concern.
CV1618 – Damages – Effect of Retraction.
CV1619 – Affirmative Defense – Consent.
CV1620 – Affirmative Defense – Statute of Limitations.

Click here to view a pdf version of proposed Model Utah Civil Jury Instructions 1601-1620.

Please reference the instruction number(s) in your comments.