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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 Washington State, after a jury has delivered 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 as a matter of law. This request is typically made through a post-trial motion. The court has the authority to grant a JNOV if it finds that the evidence presented at trial, when viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, is so one-sided that reasonable minds could not disagree on the verdict. In other words, the court can grant a JNOV if the evidence overwhelmingly supports the moving party's position to such an extent that the jury's verdict cannot be supported. This is a high standard to meet, as courts are generally deferential to the jury's role as the fact-finder. The relevant Washington State rules governing JNOV can be found in the Washington Civil Rules for Superior Court, specifically Rule 50.

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Civil procedure

judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV)

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Washington State Code

Washington State Code

Civil procedure

judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV)

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