Title: In Re: Standard Jury Instructions in Contract and Business Cases - 2018 Report
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: SC18-867
State: Florida
Issuer: Florida Supreme Court
Date: December 6, 2018

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC18-867 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CONTRACT AND 
BUSINESS CASES—2018 REPORT. 
 
December 6, 2018 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Contract 
and Business Cases (Committee) has submitted proposed changes to the standard 
jury instructions and asks that the Court authorize the amended standard 
instructions.  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. 
The Committee filed its report in this case proposing amendments to the 
“How to Use this Book” section, and to the following existing jury instructions:  
416.4 (Breach of Contract—Essential Factual Elements); 416.20 (Interpretation—
Construction Against Drafter); 416.24 (Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith 
and Fair Dealing); 416.25 (Affirmative Defense—Mutual Mistake of Fact); and 
416.26 (Affirmative Defense—Unilateral Mistake of Fact). 
 
- 2 - 
 
In addition, the Committee proposes new instructions 416.41 
(Misappropriation of Trade Secrets), 416.42 (Breach of Duty to Disclose—
Residential), 416.43 (Piercing the Corporate Veil), 416.44 (Legal Status of 
Entities), 416.45 (Legal Cause), and 416.46 (Promissory Estoppel). 
 
Lastly, the Committee proposes adding a new Appendix B with an 
Introductory Guide and the following new model verdict forms:  416.2 (Model 
Form of Verdict for Third-Party Beneficiary of Contract Claim); 416.3 (Model 
Form of Verdict for Formation of Contract); 416.4 (Model Form of Verdict for 
Breach of Contract); 416.5 (Model Form of Verdict for Oral or Written Contract 
Terms); 416.6 (Model Form of Verdict for Contract Implied in Fact); 416.7 (Model 
Form of Verdict for Contract Implied in Law); 416.8 (Model Form of Verdict for 
Formation of Contract—Offer); 416.10 (Model Form of Verdict for Contract 
Formation—Acceptance); 416.11 (Model Form of Verdict for Contract 
Formation—Acceptance by Silence or Conduct); 416.12 (Model Form of Verdict 
for Substantial Performance of Contract); 416.13 (Model Form of Verdict for 
Modification of Terms(s) of Contract); 416.14 (Model Form of Verdict for 
Interpretation—Disputed Term(s)); 416.15 (Model Form of Verdict for 
Interpretation—Meaning of Ordinary Words); 416.16 (Model Form of Verdict for 
Interpretation—Meaning of Disputed Technical or Special Words); 416.17 (Model 
Form of Verdict for Interpretation—Construction of Contract as a Whole); 416.18 
 
- 3 - 
(Model Form of Verdict for Interpretation—Construction by Conduct); 416.19 
(Model Form of Verdict for Interpretation of Contract—Reasonable Time); 416.20 
(Model Form of Verdict for Interpretation—Construction Against Drafter); 416.21 
(Model Form of Verdict for Existence of Conditions Precedent Disputed); 416.22 
(Model Form of Verdict for Occurrence of Agreed Condition Precedent of 
Contract Claim); 416.24 (Model Form of Verdict for Breach of Implied Covenant 
of Good Faith and Fair Dealing); 416.25 (Model Form of Verdict for Affirmative 
Defense—Mutual Mistake of Fact); 416.32(a) (Model Form of Verdict for 
Affirmative Defense—Statute of Limitations); 416.32(b) (Model Form of Verdict 
for Statute of Limitations Defense in a Breach of Contract Case); 416.33 (Model 
Form of Verdict for Affirmative Defense—Equitable Estoppel); 416.35 (Model 
Form for Affirmative Defense of Contract Claim—Judicial Estoppel); 416.36 
(Model Form of Verdict for Affirmative Defense—Ratification); 416.37 (Model 
Form of Verdict for Goods Sold and Delivered); 416.38 (Model Form of Verdict 
for Open Account); 416.39 (Model Form of Verdict for Account Stated); 416.42 
(Model Form of Verdict for Breach of Duty to Disclose—Residential); 416.43 
(Model Form of Verdict for Piercing the Corporate Veil in Contract Claim); 416.44 
(Model Form of Verdict for Legal Status of Entities in a Contract Claim); and 
416.46 (Model Form of Verdict for Promissory Estoppel). 
 
- 4 - 
 
Because the Committee’s proposals were published in the December 15, 
2011, December 1, 2014, March 15, 2015, May 15, 2016, May 1, 2017, or 
September 1, 2017, issue of The Florida Bar News, with comments submitted in 
late 2014 and early 2015, the Court published the proposals in the July 1, 2018, 
edition of The Florida Bar News.  No comments were received by the Court. 
 
Having considered the Committee’s report and the comments received by 
the Committee, we authorize the Committee’s proposals for publication and use as 
set forth in the appendix to this opinion.  New language is indicated by underlining 
and deleted language is indicated by struck-through type.  In authorizing the 
publication and use of these instructions and verdict forms, we express no opinion 
on their correctness and remind all interested parties that this authorization 
forecloses neither requesting additional or alternative instructions or verdict forms 
nor contesting the legal correctness of the instructions or verdict forms.  We further 
caution all interested parties that any notes on use or sources and authorities 
associated with the instructions or verdict forms reflect only the opinion of the 
Committee and are not necessarily indicative of the views of this Court as to their 
correctness or applicability.  The instructions and verdict forms as set forth in the 
appendix shall become effective when this opinion becomes final.  
 
It is so ordered. 
CANADY, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, POLSTON, LABARGA, 
and LAWSON, JJ., concur. 
 
- 5 - 
ANY MOTION FOR REHEARING OR CLARIFICATION MUST BE FILED 
WITHIN SEVEN DAYS.  A RESPONSE TO THE MOTION FOR 
REHEARING/CLARIFICATION MAY BE FILED WITHIN FIVE DAYS 
AFTER THE FILING OF THE MOTION FOR REHEARING/CLARIFICATION. 
NOT FINAL UNTIL THIS TIME PERIOD EXPIRES TO FILE A 
REHEARING/CLARIFICATION MOTION AND, IF FILED, DETERMINED. 
 
Original Proceeding – Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions — 
Contract and Business Cases 
  
Honorable Paul Lee Huey, Chair, Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury  
Instructions in Contract and Business Cases, Tampa, Florida; and Joshua E. Doyle, 
Executive Director, and Mikalla Andies Davis, Staff Liaison, The Florida Bar, 
Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
for Petitioner 
 
 
- 6 - 
APPENDIX 
 
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 
This book contains standard jury instructions prepared by the Florida 
Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Contract and Business 
Cases. Because it is impossible to cover every circumstance or issue with standard 
instructions, this book includes only those instructions which occur with enough 
frequency to have warranted their preparation.  
Although the Florida Supreme Court has approved this book, the Court has 
not expressed an opinion as to the instructions’ correctness. Also, because of 
changes in the law, these instructions may become outdated or in need of revision 
or supplementation. For these reasons, parties remain free to contest a standard 
instruction’s legal correctness or to request additional or alternative instructions. 
A. 
Getting Started. 
When compiling a set of proposed instructions, the following minimum 
steps should be taken: 
1. 
Determine the current and complete law required for instructing the 
jury in your case. 
2. 
Make sure you are using the current version of Florida Standard Jury 
Instructions (FSJI). The official version of FSJI (Contract and Business) is located 
at the committee’s website, www.floridasupremecourt.org/contract_jury_ 
instructions/ index.shtml 
http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/jury_instructions.shtml. You also can check 
for the latest updates by accessing the most recent publication date on the “Court 
Decisions & Rules” link of the Florida Supreme Court’s website homepage, 
www.floridasupremecourt.org. Also, check the “Rule Cases” link on the Clerk’s 
Office webpage for instructions. Ensure that all updates from The Florida Bar are 
fully and correctly inserted in printed versions of the book, and check the 
committee’s website for any approved instructions that have not yet reached 
publication. 
3. 
Compile a complete set of proposed instructions for your case from 
the instructions in this book and, if necessary, by modifying standard instructions 
or drafting your own case-specific instructions using other appropriate sources. 
 
- 7 - 
B. 
Using This Book for the First Time. 
The introductory passages below provide useful guidance for preparation of 
jury instructions by first-time users of this book. Assembling a set of proposed 
instructions for the trial judge follows custom and organization which may vary 
somewhat depending on the type of case, and the judge may have specific 
requirements as well. The standard instructions in this book are included as examples 
of how a set of instructions is customarily assembled. Even if these standard 
instructions are not specifically applicable to your particular case, they can assist you 
in organizing your proposed instructions. Remember that standard instructions may 
not fully cover the law in any given case, and case-specific instructions may be 
required. 
C. 
Finding the Right Instruction. 
The instructions are listed by subject matter in the table of contents and in 
alphabetical order by name in the index. At the start of each section, there is a list 
of the instructions in that section. All instructions are numbered and presented in 
numerical order. An instruction may be located by number by quickly scanning the 
numbers in the running heads. 
D. 
Ensuring the Instruction Is Current. 
Supplements to this book will have pages containing the date when the 
committee last revised the page. No date means the page was part of the original 
book. The authorities identified below certain instructions may include the dates 
for authorities on which the committee based the instruction. If the law has 
changed, the instruction may need to be modified accordingly. The committee’s 
process of revising standard instructions can be lengthy because it involves 
discovering the need for a change, researching the law, preparing and revising 
proposed instructions, and publishing the proposed instructions for comment. 
Based on comments received, the proposed instructions may again be modified. 
Only after this process is completed does the committee submit the proposed 
instructions to the Florida Supreme Court for approval. Even if the Court approves 
new instructions, the instructions may not have appeared in a printed update to this 
book. All new instructions and revisions to this book, including the latest Florida 
Supreme Court opinions and text of instructions, are published on the Florida 
Supreme Court’s website homepage, www.floridasupremecourt.org, and at 
www.floridasupremecourt.org/contract_jury_ instructions/ index.shtml 
http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/jury_instructions.shtml. Check the site to 
 
- 8 - 
ensure that the book you are using is up-to-date and to ensure that you have the 
instruction’s most current version. 
E. 
Assembling a Set of Instructions. 
This book is arranged in the order in which the trial judge normally will 
instruct the jury, together with additional sections covering oaths, voir dire, and 
instructions for evidentiary and supplemental issues. To improve juror 
understanding, the committee has used “plain English” terminology wherever 
possible without altering the instructions’ substantive meaning. 
F. 
Drafting Case-Specific Instructions. 
In most cases, standard jury instructions will be used to instruct the jury in 
whole or part. However, the committee has not developed standard instructions on 
substantive issues for all types of contract and business cases. The trial judge has 
the responsibility to choose and give appropriate and complete instructions in a 
given case, whether or not the instructions are “standard.” See, e.g.,See, e.g., In the 
Matter of the Use by the Trial Courts of the Standard Jury Instructions, 198 So. 2d 
319 (Fla. 1967). 
When drafting case-specific instructions, the format, sequence, and 
technique used in the standard instructions should be followed to the extent 
possible. Any instructions in this book on introductory and procedural matters must 
be used to the extent that they correctly apply in a given case. Florida Rule of Civil 
Procedure Form 1.985 sets forth the procedure to be followed when varying from the 
standard jury instructions in this book. 
G. 
Referring to Instructions by Number. 
Refer to instructions by number to facilitate cross-referencing in electronic 
versions, in case citations, and in publications by other publishers.  
H. 
Providing Written Instructions to the Jury. 
Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.470(b) provides that the court shall furnish 
a written copy of its instructions to each juror. The trial judge must include all 
instructions. All Bank Repos, Inc. v. Underwriters of Lloyds of London, 582 So. 2d 
692, 695 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991). The committee strongly encourages the trial judge 
to provide the written instructions to the jury before the judge’s oral instructions so 
that jurors can follow along when the judge reads the instructions aloud. When 
 
- 9 - 
assembling the written instructions which the judge will supply to the jury, omit all 
titles, comments, and instructional notes. 
I. 
When Instructions Should Be Given. 
Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.470(b) provides that instructions may be 
given during the trial and either before or after final argument. The timing of 
instructions is a matter within the sound discretion of the trial judge. 
The committee envisions that before voir dire, the judge will give a brief 
explanation of the case. Once the jury has been selected, and before opening 
statements, the committee strongly recommends that the judge give jury 
instructions on the case. In most cases, the committee believes that it will be 
possible to give the jury a complete set of instructions. There will, however, be 
instances in which some instructions may depend on the admission of certain 
evidence or the judge’s rulings, and it will not be possible to give a complete set of 
instructions. In those instances, the committee recommends giving a set of 
instructions as complete as possible to the jury. 
These instructions are organized to facilitate giving the final instructions 
before final argument. The committee also strongly recommends that the judge 
consider giving the substantive law instructions before final argument. If the judge 
gives the instructions before final argument, the judge must give the final 
procedural instructions after counsel conclude final arguments. 
J. 
Included Instructions. 
A brief description of the individual sections follows: 
SECTION 100: 
OATHS, contains the standard oaths which may be necessary 
before and during trial. 
SECTION 200: 
PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS, contains instructions for 
use during jury selection and after the jury has been selected and sworn. The 
instructions for after the jury has been selected include the jury’s duties and 
conduct. Because the committee contemplates that the judge will give the jury a 
full substantive instruction before trial begins, reference will also have to be made 
to some of the following sections. 
SECTION 300: 
EVIDENCE INSTRUCTIONS, contains instructions on how 
the jury must deal with various items of evidence or the judge’s rulings. 
 
- 10 - 
SECTION 400: 
SUBSTANTIVE INSTRUCTIONS, contains the principal 
issues which the jury is to resolve and the legal principles which govern the 
resolution of those issues, organized according to specific causes of action. 
It may not be sufficient in all cases merely to define and submit these basic issues 
to the jury. It may be necessary, for example, to instruct the jury concerning a 
preliminary issue. It also may be necessary to withdraw from the jury’s 
consideration an issue about which there has been some controversy during the 
trial. 
The instructions in section 400 are suitable for framing the issues regardless of 
whether the claim made is an original claim, a counterclaim, or a cross-claim. 
These instructions also can be used when one party makes two or more claims in 
the same action. 
In cases in which a counterclaim or cross-claim exists, the judge ordinarily will 
concentrate on each claim separately, selecting the instructions from section 400 
that are appropriate to that particular claim, charge the jury with respect to the 
issues on that claim including defense issues, and return again to the beginning of 
section 400 to give the instructions appropriate to the issues on the next claim. 
SECTION 500: 
DAMAGES, contains instructions on damages arranged so that 
the various elements of damage proper for consideration in any given case may be 
selected. The model charges contain guidance on straightforward and complicated 
or multiple claim cases. It is up to the judge to find a convenient manner to instruct 
on multiple claims without misleading the jury. 
SECTION 600: 
SUBSTANTIVE INSTRUCTIONS — GENERAL, contains 
basic instructions necessary in almost every case, such as weighing evidence. 
SECTION 700: 
CLOSING INSTRUCTIONS, sets forth closing instructions 
and an instruction introducing the forms of verdict. 
SECTION 800: 
SUPPLEMENTAL MATTERS, sets forth instructions for 
issues during jury deliberation and for discharging the jury. 
 
- 11 - 
HOW TO WRITE AND USE JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CIVIL CASES and 
VERDICT FORMS, Appendices A and B are provided in this book to assist the 
user in preparing instructions and verdict forms. 
K. 
Variance from Standard Instructions. 
The trial judge has the discretion to insert or omit minor words in a given 
instruction for clarity. The committee does not discourage such minor editorial 
modifications to conform a standard instruction to a given case or circumstance, 
provided the substance of the instruction is unchanged. 
While minor, non-substantive modifications are permitted, Florida Rule of 
Civil Procedure Form 1.9851.470(b) provides: 
 
The forms of Florida Standard Jury Instructions appearing on 
the court’s website at www.floridasupremecourt.org/jury-
instructions/instructions.html may be used by the trial judges of this 
state in charging the jury in civil actions to the extent that the forms 
are applicable, unless the trial judge determines that an applicable 
form of instruction is erroneous or inadequate. In that event the trial 
judge shall modify the form or give such other instruction as the judge 
determines necessary to accurately and sufficiently instruct the jury in 
the circumstances of the action. In that event the trial judge shall state 
on the record or in a separate order the manner in which the judge 
finds the standard form erroneous or inadequate and the legal basis of 
that finding. Similarly, in all circumstances in which the notes 
accompanying the Florida Standard Jury Instructions contain a 
recommendation that a certain type of instruction not be given, the 
trial judge may follow the recommendation unless the judge 
determines that the giving of such an instruction is necessary to 
accurately and sufficiently instruct the jury, in which event the judge 
shall give such instruction as the judge deems appropriate and 
necessary. In that event the trial judge shall state on the record or on a 
separate order the legal basis of the determination that such instruction 
is necessary.The Florida Standard Jury Instructions appearing on the 
court’s website at www.floridasupremecourt.org/jury_ 
instructions.shtml shall be used by the trial judges of this state in 
instructing the jury in civil actions to the extent that the Standard Jury 
Instructions are applicable, unless the trial judge determines that an 
applicable Standard Jury Instruction is erroneous or inadequate. If the 
 
- 12 - 
trial judge modifies a Standard Jury Instruction or gives such other 
instruction as the judge determines necessary to accurately and 
sufficiently instruct the jury, upon timely objection to the instruction, 
the trial judge shall state on the record or in a separate order the legal 
basis for varying from the Standard Jury Instruction. Similarly, in all 
circumstances in which the notes accompanying the Florida Standard 
Jury Instructions contain a recommendation that a certain type of 
instruction not be given, the trial judge shall follow the 
recommendation unless the judge determines that the giving of such 
an instruction is necessary to accurately and sufficiently instruct the 
jury, in which event the judge shall give such instruction as the judge 
deems appropriate and necessary. If the trial judge does not follow 
such a recommendation of the Florida Standard Jury Instructions, 
upon timely objection to the instruction, the trial judge shall state on 
the record or in a separate order the legal basis of the determination 
that such instruction is necessary. Not later than at the close of the 
evidence, the parties shall file written requests that the court instruct 
the jury on the law set forth in such requests. The court shall then 
require counsel to appear before it to settle the instructions to be 
given. At such conference, all objections shall be made and ruled 
upon and the court shall inform counsel of such instructions as it will 
give. No party may assign as error the giving of any instruction unless 
that party objects thereto at such time, or the failure to give any 
instruction unless that party requested the same. The court shall orally 
instruct the jury before or after the arguments of counsel and may 
provide appropriate instructions during the trial. If the instructions are 
given prior to final argument, the presiding judge shall give the jury 
final procedural instructions after final arguments are concluded and 
prior to deliberations. The court shall provide each juror with a written 
set of the instructions for his or her use in deliberations. The court 
shall file a copy of such instructions. 
SeeSee McConnell v. Union Carbide Corp., 937 So. 2d 148, 153 (Fla. 4th DCA 
2006), discussing the limited range of judicial discretion. 
Note, however, that the contents of this book are approved for publication by 
the Florida Supreme Court subject to the following disclaimer, which appears in 
whole or in part in opinions approving standard instructions: 
 
- 13 - 
[W]e express no opinion on the correctness of these instructions and 
remind all interested parties that this authorization forecloses neither 
requesting additional or alternative instructions nor contesting the 
legal correctness of these instructions. We further caution all 
interested parties that the notes and comments associated with the 
instructions reflect only the opinion of the committee and are not 
necessarily indicative of the views of this Court as to their correctness 
or applicability. 
Standard Jury Instructions-Civil Cases (No. 99-2), 777 So. 2d 378, 379 (Fla. 
2000). 
L. 
Use of Special Verdicts. 
Special verdicts are required or used in many cases. When that occurs, the 
committee recommends that the questions on the special verdict be incorporated 
into the jury instructions. An ideal place to do so is in the Burden of Proof 
instructions, where the “your verdict should be …” language should be changed to 
“answer question number ___ yes (or no).” This will be assist the jury in 
understanding how to decide the case and complete the special verdict form. 
M. 
Understanding the Signals in This Book. 
Boldface type, brackets, parentheses, italics, Notes on Use, and Sources and 
Authorities are used in standard instructions to give certain directions as follows: 
Boldface type identifies words upon which the trial judge must instruct the 
jury. 
Brackets express variables or alternatives which the judge should select for 
instructing the jury. Bracketed material always appears in boldface type because 
some or all of the enclosed words must be provided as part of the instruction. The 
Notes on Use often provide guidance on the variables appropriate in a given 
circumstance. 
Parentheses signify the need for the trial judge to insert a proper name, a 
specific item or element, or some other variable. Because the words within the 
parentheses are directional in nature and not spoken to the jury, they do not appear 
in boldface type. They merely serve as signals to insert names, titles, or other 
words that must be provided as part of the instruction. In like manner, throughout 
the instructions the parties are referred to as “claimant” and “defendant,” and these 
labels may appear in parentheses. The committee does not intend that these labels 
 
- 14 - 
be used in the instructions which the judge gives to the jury. The judge should 
name or refer to the parties in the most convenient and clear way. 
Italics identify directions to the trial judge. 
Notes on Use may appear immediately after an instruction to provide 
guidance in the use of an instruction. Where the committee determines that an 
instruction on a particular subject does not materially assist the jury, or that the 
instruction is likely to be argumentative or negative, or is for other reasons 
inappropriate, the Notes on Use will contain the committee’s recommendation that 
the judge give no instruction. Notes on Use also are used to set out the committee’s 
reasons for recommending particular treatment. 
Sources and Authorities may appear immediately after an instruction to 
provide the sources and authorities upon which the committee based the 
instructions. The committee uses only illustrative cases and avoids long lists of 
cases. 
 
416.4 BREACH OF CONTRACT — ESSENTIAL FACTUAL ELEMENTS 
To recover damages from (defendant) for breach of contract, (claimant) 
must prove all of the following: 
1. 
(Claimant) and (defendant) entered into a contract; 
2. 
(Claimant) did all, or substantially all, of the essential things 
which the contract required [him] [her] [it] to do [or that [he] [she] [it] 
was excused from doing those things]; 
3. 
[All conditions required by the contract for (defendant’s) 
performance had occurred;] 
4. 
[(Defendant) failed to do something essential which the contract 
required [him] [her] [it] to do] [(defendant) did something which the contract 
prohibited [him] [her] [it] from doing and that prohibition was essential to the 
contract]; and 
 
Note: If the allegation is that the defendant breached the contract by doing 
something that the contract prohibited, use the second option. 
5. 
(Claimant) was harmeddamaged by that failure. 
 
- 15 - 
NOTE ON USE FOR 416.4 
In many cases, some of the above elements may not be contested. In those 
cases, users should delete the elements that are not contested so that the jury can 
focus on the contested issues. 
SOURCES AND AUTHORITIES FOR 416.4 
1. 
An adequately pled breach of contract action requires three elements: 
(1) a valid contract; (2) a material breach; and (3) damages. Friedman v. New York 
Life Ins. Co., 985 So. 2d 56, 58 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008). This general rule was 
enunciated by various Florida district courts of appeal. SeeSee Murciano v. Garcia, 
958 So. 2d 423, 423-24 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007); Abbott Laboratories, Inc. v. General 
Elec. Capital, 765 So. 2d 737, 740 (Fla. 5th DCA 2000); Mettler, Inc. v. Ellen 
Tracy, Inc., 648 So. 2d 253, 255 (Fla. 2d DCA 1994); Knowles v. C.I.T. Corp., 346 
So. 2d 1042, 1043 (Fla. 1st DCA 1977). 
2. 
To maintain an action for breach of contract, a claimant must first 
establish performance on the claimant’s part of the contractual obligations imposed 
by the contract. Marshall Construction, Ltd. v. Coastal Sheet Metal & Roofing, 
Inc., 569 So. 2d 845, 848 (Fla. 1st DCA 1990). A claimant is excused from 
establishing performance if the defendant anticipatorily repudiated the contract. 
Hosp. Mortg. Grp. v. First Prudential Dev. Corp., 411 So. 2d 181, 182-83 (Fla. 
1982). Repudiation constituting a prospective breach of contract may be evidenced 
by words or voluntary acts but refusal must be distinct, unequivocal and absolute. 
Mori v. Matsushita Elec. Corp. of Am., 380 So. 2d 461, 463 (Fla. 3d DCA 1980). 
3. 
“Substantial performance is performance ‘nearly equivalent to what 
was bargained for.’” Strategic Resources Grp., Inc. v. Knight-Ridder, Inc., 870 So. 
2d 846, 848 (Fla. 3d DCA 2003). “Substantial performance is that performance of 
a contract which, while not full performance, is so nearly equivalent to what was 
bargained for that it would be unreasonable to deny the promisee the full contract 
price subject to the promisor’s right to recover whatever damages may have been 
occasioned him by the promisee’s failure to render full performance.” Ocean Ridge 
Dev. Corp. v. Quality Plastering, Inc., 247 So. 2d 72, 75 (Fla. 4th DCA 1971). 
4. 
The doctrine of substantial performance applies when the variance 
from the contract specifications is inadvertent or unintentional and unimportant so 
 
- 16 - 
that the work actually performed is substantially what was called for in the 
contract. Lockhart v. Worsham, 508 So. 2d 411, 412 (Fla. 1st DCA 1987). “In the 
context of contracts for construction, the doctrine of substantial performance is 
applicable only where the contractor has not willfully or materially breached the 
terms of his contract or has not intentionally failed to comply with the 
specifications.” National Constructors, Inc. v. Ellenberg, 681 So. 2d 791, 793 (Fla. 
3d DCA 1996). 
5. 
“There is almost always no such thing as ‘substantial performance’ of 
payment between commercial parties when the duty is simply the general one to 
pay.” Hufcor/Gulfstream, Inc. v. Homestead Concrete & Drainage, Inc., 831 So. 
2d 767, 769 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002). 
 
416.20 
INTERPRETATION—CONSTRUCTION AGAINST DRAFTER 
You must first attempt to determine the meaning of the ambiguous 
term[s] in the contract from the evidence presented and the previous 
instructions. If you cannot do so, only then should you consider which party 
drafted the disputed term[s] in the contract and then construe the language 
against that party.