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 Virginia, a motion for judgment as a matter of law is a legal procedure that occurs during a trial, where a party without the burden of proof (typically the defendant for a claim or the plaintiff for a defense) requests the court to rule on a claim or defense without submitting it to the jury. This motion can be made after the opposing party has been fully heard on an issue and before the case is submitted to the jury. The standard for the court to grant such a motion is that no reasonable jury could find in favor of the non-moving party based on the evidence presented. This is similar to the federal standard under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50. In Virginia, the state equivalent is governed by the Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure, and the specific rules and standards may vary slightly from the federal rule but generally adhere to the same principles. An attorney can provide guidance on the nuances of this procedure within the Virginia court system.