Definition
A judge's decision to overrule a jury's verdict when no reasonable jury could have reached that conclusion. It's the judicial equivalent of 'I know what you said, but you're wrong,' and it's as rare as it sounds.
Example Usage
Despite the jury awarding $10 million, the judge granted judgment notwithstanding the verdict because the plaintiff had presented literally no evidence of damages.
Origin
Also called 'JNOV' from Latin 'non obstante veredicto'
Fun Fact
Judges use this power sparingly because overruling juries is politically and legally fraught—nobody likes being told their careful deliberations were nonsense.
Source: Common trial procedure terminology
Related Terms
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See “judgment notwithstanding the verdict” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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