§ Rule 1.924. Instructions

Codes > Iowa Rules of Civil Practice and Procedure > Chapter 1 > Division IX : A. Trials > Rule 1.924.

Rule 1.924. Instructions

The court shall instruct the jury as to the law applicable to all material issues in the case and such instructions shall be in writing, in consecutively numbered paragraphs, and shall be read to the jury without comment or explanation; provided, however, that in any action where the parties so agree, the instructions may be oral. At the close of the evidence, or such prior time as the court may reasonably fix, any party may file written requests that the jury be instructed as set forth in such requests. Before argument to the jury begins, the court shall furnish counsel with a preliminary draft of instructions which it expects to give on all controversial issues, which shall not be part of the record. Before jury arguments, the court shall give to each counsel a copy of its instructions in their final form, noting this fact of record and granting reasonable time for counsel to make objections, which shall be made and ruled on before arguments to the jury. Within such time, all objections to giving or failing to give any instruction must be made in writing or dictated into the record, out of the jury's presence, specifying the matter objected to and on what grounds. No other grounds or objections shall be asserted thereafter, or considered on appeal. But if the court thereafter revises or adds to the instructions, similar specific objection to the revision or addition may be made in the motion for new trial, and if not so made shall be deemed waived. All instructions and objections, except as above provided, shall be part of the record. Nothing in the rules in this chapter shall prohibit the court from reading to the jury one or more of the final instructions at any stage of the trial, provided that counsel for all parties has been given an opportunity to review the instructions being read and to make objections as provided in this rule. Any instructions read prior to conclusion of the evidence shall also be included in the instructions read to the jury following conclusion of the evidence.