When a motion for a directed verdict made at the close of all of the evidence should have been granted, the court shall, at the request of the moving party, grant judgment in the moving party's favor, although a verdict has been found against the moving party, but the court may order a new trial where it appears that the other party was prevented from proving a claim or defense by mistake, accident or surprise. The motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, if made, must be filed not later than ten (10) days after the judgment, prepared in conformance with Section 696.3 of this title, is filed with the court clerk. A motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict may be joined with a motion for a new trial. If the moving party did not prepare the judgment, and Section 696.2 of this title required a copy of the judgment to be mailed to the moving party, and the court records do not reflect the mailing of a copy of the judgment to the moving party within three (3) days, exclusive of weekends and holidays, after the filing of the judgment, the motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict may be filed no later than ten (10) days after the earliest date on which the court records show that a copy of the judgment was mailed to the moving party. A motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict filed after the announcement of the verdict but before the filing of the judgment shall be deemed filed immediately after the filing of the judgment or decree.

R.L. 1910, § 5140. Amended by Laws 1961, p. 64, § 1; Laws 1990, c. 251, § 12, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Laws 1991, c. 251, § 8, eff. June 1, 1991; Laws 1993, c. 351, § 12, eff. Oct. 1, 1993; Laws 1994, c. 343, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 1997, c. 102, § 5, eff. May 1, 1997.