A judgement notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) is a decision made by a judge following a jury’s verdict in a trial. If the judge believes that the jury’s decision was not based on the presented evidence or if they made a legal error, the judge has the authority to disregard the jury’s verdict and make their own decision. This is similar to a directed verdict, but it occurs after the jury has reached their decision. A JNOV can be requested by the party who lost the case or granted by the judge independently. It can be awarded to either the plaintiff or defendant in a civil case. Sometimes, a JNOV is requested alongside a motion for a new trial. The judge’s decision can be reviewed through the appeals process.
A judgement notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) is a ruling made by a judge following a jury’s verdict in a trial. The judge disregards the jury’s decision and issues a new judgement in favour of the losing party without a retrial. This is similar to a directed verdict, but it occurs after the jury has rendered their verdict. A JNOV is granted by a judge if they believe the jury’s verdict was unreasonable based on the evidence presented during the trial or if the jury made a legal error. The losing party or the judge themselves may request a JNOV in certain jurisdictions. For instance, in a personal injury case, the jury may have found the defendant not responsible for the plaintiff’s injuries. However, the judge may grant a JNOV if they believe the evidence clearly demonstrates that the defendant was indeed liable for the injuries. It is important to note that in some jurisdictions, a party must file a motion for a directed verdict earlier in the trial to preserve their right to seek a JNOV later on. Typically, a motion for a JNOV is filed alongside a motion for a new trial by the losing party in response to the jury’s verdict. The judge’s decision to grant or deny a motion for JNOV can be reviewed through the appeals process. In federal cases, JNOV has been replaced by Judgement as a Matter of Law (JMOL) under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
A Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict (JNOV) is a legal motion that allows a judge to overturn a jury’s verdict if they believe it is unreasonable or unsupported by the evidence presented at trial.
A JNOV can be filed after a jury has rendered its verdict but before the judge enters a final judgment in the case.
To grant a JNOV, the judge must find that no reasonable jury could have reached the verdict based on the evidence presented at trial.
Typically, only the party against whom the jury verdict was rendered can file a JNOV. However, in some jurisdictions, both parties may have the right to file a JNOV.
If a JNOV is granted, the judge will set aside the jury’s verdict and enter a new judgment in favor of the party who filed the motion.
Yes, if a JNOV is granted or denied, either party can appeal the judge’s decision to a higher court.
A JNOV asks the judge to overturn the jury’s verdict and enter a new judgment, while a motion for a new trial asks the judge to set aside the verdict and order a new trial.
The grounds for filing a JNOV include errors in the jury’s interpretation of the law, lack of sufficient evidence to support the verdict, or misconduct by the jury.
The time limit for filing a JNOV varies by jurisdiction, but it is typically within a few weeks after the jury’s verdict is rendered.
Yes, a JNOV can be filed in both civil and criminal cases, although the standards for granting a JNOV may differ between the two types of cases.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 7th May 2024.
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