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Civil procedure

judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV)

After the jury’s verdict, a party may ask the trial court to disregard the jury’s findings and grant a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV). The trial court may grant such a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict if the evidence conclusively establishes the moving party’s right to a judgment different than the jury’s findings.

In Iowa, after a jury delivers its verdict, a party may request the trial court to set aside the jury's findings and issue a judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV), which is also known as a judgment non obstante veredicto. This legal action is taken when a party believes that no reasonable jury could have reached the given verdict based on the evidence presented during the trial. The trial court has the authority to grant a JNOV if the evidence overwhelmingly supports a different outcome than that reached by the jury. However, courts exercise this power with caution, as it overrides the jury's decision. The standard for granting a JNOV is stringent, requiring the court to find that the evidence, when viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, leaves no room for a reasonable difference of opinion among reasonable people. If the trial court denies the motion, the party may appeal the decision to a higher court. The relevant Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure and case law govern the procedures and standards for filing and ruling on a motion for JNOV.

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Civil procedure

judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV)

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Iowa State Code

Iowa State Code

Civil procedure

judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV)

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