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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 Pennsylvania, after a jury has delivered its verdict, a party who is dissatisfied with the outcome may file a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV). This legal action requests the trial court to set aside the jury's findings and enter a different judgment. The court may grant a JNOV if it finds that the evidence presented at trial was so strongly in favor of the moving party that no reasonable jury could have arrived at the verdict that was reached. The standard for granting a JNOV is high, as it requires the court to find that the facts and inferences, when viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, point so overwhelmingly in favor of the moving party that no reasonable jury could have returned the verdict in question. This is a remedy that is sparingly granted, as it overrides the jury's deliberative process and conclusion. The relevant Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure and case law govern the procedure and standards for filing and deciding a JNOV.

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Civil procedure

judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV)

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Pennsylvania State Code

Pennsylvania State Code

Civil procedure

judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV)

Articles