California Civil Jury Instructions
Last updated: May 2026
The Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI) are the standard, court-approved set of jury instructions used in civil trials throughout California. Trial judges read them to jurors to explain the law that applies to a case — what the plaintiff has to prove, what the defendant can argue, and how the jury should weigh the evidence.
CACI is updated by the Judicial Council each year. Lawyers and litigants in California civil cases use CACI when drafting jury instruction packets, motions for nonsuit and directed verdict, and post-trial motions.
Read the Official CACI Instructions
California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI) — Judicial Council of California
The Judicial Council publishes the full CACI set for free. The instructions are organized by topic: contracts, fraud, negligence, products liability, employment, intentional torts, business torts, real property, and many others. Each instruction has both the standard text the judge will read and the legal authority and source notes behind it.
Common CACI Categories for California Business Litigation
- CACI 300 series — Contracts (formation, breach, damages, defenses)
- CACI 1900 series — Fraud and Deceit
- CACI 2200 series — Business Torts (interference, unfair competition)
- CACI 2400 series — Trade Secrets
- CACI 3700 series — Vicarious Liability and Joint Ventures
- CACI 5000 series — Concluding Instructions and Damages
Need Help with a California Civil Case?
Picking the right CACI instructions can shape the outcome of a trial. The wrong instruction — or a missing one — can be reversible error on appeal. If you're heading to trial in a California business dispute, our team at Kolmogorov Law, P.C. can help you build the right jury-instruction strategy.
Call (909) 235-6116 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney–client relationship. CACI is a copyrighted publication of the Judicial Council of California; please refer to the official Judicial Council website for the most current version.