A motion for judgment as a matter of law is a procedure during trial in which a party who does not have the burden of proof on a claim (generally the defendant) or on a defense to a claim (generally the plaintiff) may ask the court to dismiss the claim or defense before the jury is allowed to decide it. The standard for dismissing such a claim or defense is whether no reasonable jury could find for the opposing party on the claim or defense. In the federal court system, a motion for judgment as a matter of law is governed by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50.

In California, a motion for judgment as a matter of law during a trial is referred to as a 'motion for nonsuit' in a jury trial or a 'motion for directed verdict' in a bench trial. This procedure allows a party, typically the defendant, to request the court to dismiss the opposing party's claim or defense on the basis that no reasonable jury could find in their favor based on the evidence presented. The California Code of Civil Procedure governs these motions. Specifically, Section 581c covers nonsuit, and Section 630 covers directed verdicts. The standard for granting such a motion is high, as the court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the opposing party and without considering the credibility of witnesses. If the motion is granted, the case is decided without sending it to the jury. In federal court, the equivalent motion is governed by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50, as mentioned in the description.