Which term corresponds to a verdict where the decision is for the plaintiff or defendant without detailed factual findings?

• A. Grand Jury
• B. Guardian ad litem
• C. General verdict
• D. Ex parte

Answer: (C)

A general verdict is used when the jury simply declares who wins the case—the plaintiff or the defendant—without providing any detailed factual findings or explanations of the grounds for their decision. This contrasts with a special verdict, where the jury answers specific factual questions, and the judge applies the law to those findings to reach the final judgment. The description in the question matches a general verdict because the outcome is stated without a breakdown of the factual conclusions.

For context, the other terms refer to different concepts entirely: a grand jury decides whether there is probable cause for an indictment in criminal cases; a guardian ad litem is a person appointed to represent someone who cannot legally represent themselves (often a child or incapacitated person) in a lawsuit; and ex parte refers to a proceeding or motion heard by the court with only one party present, not a verdict type.