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 New York State courts, a motion for judgment as a matter of law is known as a motion for a directed verdict and is governed by the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR). Specifically, CPLR Rule 4401 allows a party to move for judgment as a matter of law during a trial after the opposing party has been fully heard on an issue. The standard for granting such a motion is similar to the federal standard; the motion should be granted if, without weighing the credibility of witnesses, there is no rational process by which the fact trier could base a finding in favor of the non-moving party. In other words, the court may grant the motion if, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, there is no substantial evidence to support a verdict for that party. If the motion is not granted, the issue is submitted to the jury for determination. In the federal court system, the equivalent motion is governed by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50, and the standards are similar to New York's state procedure.