Judgment as a Matter of Law

/ˈdʒʌdʒmənt æz ə ˈmætər əv lɔː/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A court ruling that no reasonable jury could reach a different verdict based on the evidence, typically decided by the judge during or after a trial.
    The judge granted judgment as a matter of law when the evidence clearly favored the plaintiff.

Forms

  • judgment as a matter of law
  • judgments as a matter of law

Commentary

This procedural device prevents jury decisions unsupported by sufficient evidence; often used synonymously with 'directed verdict' in federal rules.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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