Montana Jury Instruction — 3.3 Breach of Fiduciary Duty is a legal instruction provided to a jury in Montana regarding the concept of breach of fiduciary duty. In the context of this instruction, a fiduciary duty refers to the legal obligation of a person (the fiduciary) to act in the best interest of another (the beneficiary) when handling their affairs. The Montana Jury Instruction — 3.3 Breach of Fiduciary Duty outlines the criteria and elements that must be proven to establish that a breach of fiduciary duty has occurred. These elements may vary depending on the specific case, but generally include: 1. Existence of a fiduciary relationship: This element requires showing that a fiduciary duty existed between the parties involved. A fiduciary relationship typically arises when one party places trust and confidence in another party to manage their interests. 2. Breach of the fiduciary duty: This element involves proving that the fiduciary failed to fulfill their obligations or duties to the beneficiary. It may include acts of self-dealing, conflicts of interest, negligence, misrepresentation, or other wrongful conduct. 3. Causation: This component requires demonstrating that the breach of fiduciary duty directly contributed to the harm or loss suffered by the beneficiary. Without establishing a causal link, a breach of fiduciary duty claim may not succeed. 4. Damages: The final element necessitates showing that the breach of fiduciary duty resulted in measurable harm or damages to the beneficiary. These damages can be financial losses, loss of opportunity, emotional distress, or any other harm suffered as a result of the breach. Different types of Montana Jury Instruction — 3.3 Breach of Fiduciary Duty may exist based on the specific nature of the fiduciary relationship in question. Common variations may include: 1. Breach of Fiduciary Duty by a Corporate Officer or Director: These instructions specifically apply to cases involving allegations of fiduciary breach by officers or directors of a corporation towards the company or its shareholders. 2. Breach of Fiduciary Duty by a Trustee: These instructions pertain to cases where a trustee violates their fiduciary obligations towards the beneficiaries of a trust, such as mismanaging trust assets or prioritizing their own interests over those of the beneficiaries. 3. Breach of Fiduciary Duty by an Agent: In situations where an agent, such as a lawyer, broker, or real estate agent, fails to act in the best interest of their client, specific instructions regarding the breach of fiduciary duty by an agent may be provided to the jury. In conclusion, Montana Jury Instruction — 3.3 Breach of Fiduciary Duty provides guidelines and elements necessary to establish a breach of fiduciary duty. Various types of breach of fiduciary duty instructions may exist based on the nature of the fiduciary relationship involved, such as breaches by corporate officers, trustees, or agents.