A general verdict is a verdict in which the jury decides which party should win the case, without listing its specific findings on any disputed issues. Juries issuing a general verdict are not required to provide the court with the justifications or reasonings underlying their decision. That said, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 49(b) authorizes the court to require the jury to answer written questions as to specific findings of fact when issuing a general verdict. If the answers to these written questions are inconsistent with the verdict, the judge has the authority to order a new trial.
A general verdict is contrasted with a special verdict, in which the jury lists specific findings of factual issues but does not declare who wins the overall case.
[Last updated in January of 2023 by the Wex Definitions Team]