Vermont Jury Instruction 3.3: Breach of Fiduciary Duty Keywords: Vermont, jury instruction, breach of fiduciary duty Description: Vermont Jury Instruction 3.3 is a legal instruction provided to juries in Vermont civil trials to guide them in determining cases involving breach of fiduciary duty. This instruction outlines the legal standards and principles that help jurors understand the elements required to find a party responsible for breaching their fiduciary duty. A fiduciary duty arises when one person (the fiduciary) is entrusted with the responsibility to act in the best interests of another person (the beneficiary) or an entity. A breach of fiduciary duty occurs when the fiduciary fails to fulfill this duty by engaging in actions that harm the beneficiary or put their own interests above those of the beneficiary. Vermont Jury Instruction 3.3 provides guidance on the various types of fiduciary relationships recognized under Vermont law, such as those between business partners, trustees and beneficiaries, directors and shareholders, attorneys and clients, and agents and principals. While the instruction may not specifically name different types of fiduciary relationships, it covers the overarching principles that apply to breach of fiduciary duty claims arising in various contexts. The instruction typically includes the elements that must be proven to establish a claim for breach of fiduciary duty. These elements often include: 1. Existence of a fiduciary duty: The instruction defines the fiduciary relationship and explains the duties required of the fiduciary towards the beneficiary. 2. Breach of fiduciary duty: The jury is informed that the plaintiff must demonstrate that the fiduciary breached their duty by either engaging in prohibited conduct or failing to fulfill their obligations. 3. Causation: The instruction emphasizes that the breach of fiduciary duty must be a direct cause of harm or damages suffered by the beneficiary. 4. Damages: Jurors are instructed to consider the extent of harm caused by the breach of fiduciary duty and evaluate the resulting financial and non-financial losses. It is important to note that the specific wording and details of Vermont Jury Instruction 3.3 may vary depending on the case, the parties involved, and any additional instructions provided by the court. Attorneys and judges rely on these instructions to ensure juries understand the legal framework and principles surrounding breach of fiduciary duty claims in Vermont. In summary, Vermont Jury Instruction 3.3 assists juries in understanding breach of fiduciary duty claims by outlining the legal standards and elements needed to find a defendant liable for breaching their fiduciary obligations. It does not name specific types of fiduciary relationships but covers the essential principles necessary to evaluate such claims in various contexts.