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 Utah, a motion for judgment as a matter of law is a legal procedure that can be used during a trial when a party, typically the defendant, believes that the opposing party has not presented sufficient evidence to support their claim or defense. This motion can be filed before the case is submitted to the jury. The standard for the court to grant such a motion is whether the evidence is such that no reasonable jury could find in favor of the non-moving party. If the court finds that the evidence presented fails to establish a legally sufficient basis for a jury to find for the non-moving party, the court may grant the motion and enter judgment accordingly. This procedure is similar to the federal practice governed by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50. In Utah state courts, the equivalent rule is found in the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, which should be consulted for specific procedures and standards applicable in state court proceedings.