North Dakota Jury Instruction — 1.9.5.2 Subsidiary As Alter Ego Of Parent Corporation: In legal cases involving corporate entities, the concept of a subsidiary acting as an alter ego of its parent corporation may arise. North Dakota Jury Instruction 1.9.5.2 provides guidance on this matter to ensure a fair and informed decision. This instruction considers situations where a subsidiary corporation is so closely controlled and manipulated by its parent corporation that it loses its separate identity and becomes merely an alter ego of the parent corporation. When a subsidiary is deemed an alter ego of its parent corporation, it means that they are no longer considered distinct entities, but rather a single entity in the eyes of the law. This finding holds significant implications, particularly when it comes to legal liabilities and obligations. The primary purpose of this jury instruction is to evaluate whether the subsidiary corporation should be held equally responsible for the actions and liabilities of its parent corporation. The jury instruction requires the jury to consider several key factors to determine if a subsidiary qualifies as the alter ego of its parent corporation. These factors typically include: 1. Control and domination: The instruction examines whether the parent corporation exerts full control over the subsidiary's finances, operations, decision-making processes, and overall management. It evaluates whether the parent exercises such control to the extent that the subsidiary has little or no independent existence. 2. Separation of identities: The instruction scrutinizes whether the parent and subsidiary corporations observe the formalities of keeping their operations, assets, and liabilities distinct. It considers if there is commingling of funds, shared officers or directors, absence of separate financial records, or manipulation of assets for the exclusive benefit of the parent corporation. 3. Fraud or injustice: The instruction also guides the jury to evaluate if allowing the subsidiary corporation to maintain its separate identity would lead to fraud or injustice, such as evading legal responsibilities, concealment of wrongdoings, or preventing creditors from recovering debts owed by the parent corporation. 4. Fairness and equity: The jury instruction emphasizes the importance of fairness and equity in determining alter ego status. It aims to prevent abuse of the corporate structure and ensure that those who benefit from the corporate shield are not unduly shielded from their rightful obligations. While North Dakota Jury Instruction- 1.9.5.2 provides general guidance on determining alter ego status, it is important to consider that specific cases may have different variations or additional factors to be assessed based on the unique circumstances presented.