What is a motion for judgment as a matter of law in civil litigation?

A motion for judgment as a matter of law in civil litigation is a motion made by a party requesting the court to enter a judgment in favor of the party without reaching the merits of the case. This motion is based on the claim that the opposing party has insufficient evidence to support their claim or defense. In Washington, this motion is also known as a motion for a directed verdict or a JNOV (judgment notwithstanding the verdict). When a motion for judgment as a matter of law is made, a court will consider the evidence presented by both parties. If the court finds that the non-moving party’s evidence is insufficient to support their position, the motion for judgment as a matter of law will be granted and the court will enter a judgment in favor of the party who made the motion. It is important to keep in mind that granting such a motion is optional on the court. In many cases, the court will ask both sides to present their complete case and will deny the motion for judgment as a matter of law. This means that the case will proceed to a jury trial for a final decision as to which party wins the case.

Related FAQs

What is a motion for judgment as a matter of law in civil litigation?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts