Opinion ID: 1862465
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: abstract instructions

Text: The Warwicks complain that the following instructions were abstract and should not have been given: INSTRUCTION P-4 The defendants claim an affirmative defense which is explained in later instructions. The burden of establishing this affirmative defense by a preponderance of the evidence rests upon the defendants. INSTRUCTION P-16 The court instructs the jury that a breach of contract occurs when a party fails to perform a duty imposed upon him or her by the terms and conditions of the contract of which he or she is a party. INSTRUCTION P-21 Parties to a contract each have rights which must be determined by the terms of the contract itself, and if the terms are not contrary to law or public policy, the terms of the contract must be enforced as written. There were other instructions given which specifically informed the jury on the issues before it, and there was no error in granting these instructions. Payne v. Rain Forest Nurseries, Inc., 540 So.2d 35, 40 (Miss. 1989); Detroit Marine Engineering v. McRee, 510 So.2d 462 (Miss. 1987); Woolfolk v. Tucker, 485 So.2d 1039, 1043 (Miss. 1986); Spears v. Protective Life Ins. Co., 260 So.2d 448, 449 (Miss. 1972.)