Rule 51.03: Timing.

(1) At Beginning of Trial. Immediately after the jury is sworn, the court shall instruct the jury concerning its duties, its conduct, the order of proceedings, the general nature of the case, and the elementary legal principles that will govern the proceeding.

(2) Before and After Closing Argument. Jury instructions on the applicable law may be given before closing argument, in the court’s discretion. All or part of such instructions may be repeated after closing argument. Additional instructions concerning organizational and related matters also may be given after closing argument. [As amended by order filed January 1, 2003, effective July 1, 2003.]