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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 North Carolina, after a jury has rendered its verdict, a party may request the trial court to set aside the jury's findings and enter a judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV), which is also known as a directed verdict for the losing party. This is a request for the court to enter a judgment in favor of one party despite the jury's verdict to the contrary. The court may grant a JNOV if it finds that no reasonable jury could have reached the verdict given the evidence presented during the trial. Essentially, the court must determine that the evidence so overwhelmingly favors the moving party that the jury's verdict cannot stand. This is a high standard to meet, as courts generally uphold the jury's findings and the right to a jury trial is strongly protected. The motion for JNOV must be made after the jury returns its verdict but before the court enters judgment. If the court denies the motion for JNOV, the party may appeal the decision to a higher court.

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Civil procedure

judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV)

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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North-Carolina State Code

North-Carolina State Code

Civil procedure

judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV)

Articles