Post-Trial Motions

Definition

Post-trial motions are legal actions taken by either party in a lawsuit after the conclusion of the trial. These motions allow the parties to challenge or seek further relief from the court's final judgment or verdict.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Post-trial motions must be filed within a specific time frame, usually 28 days after the entry of the final judgment or verdict.
2. The purpose of post-trial motions is to provide a mechanism for the parties to challenge the court's final decision and seek further relief.
3. The granting of a post-trial motion, such as a JNOV or a new trial, can lead to a modification or reversal of the original judgment or verdict.
4. Post-trial motions are an important step in the litigation process, as they can preserve a party's right to appeal the final judgment.
5. The standards for granting post-trial motions vary depending on the specific motion and the jurisdiction, but generally require a showing of legal error or a lack of sufficient evidence to support the verdict.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and key features of post-trial motions in the context of civil litigation.
  • The purpose of post-trial motions is to provide a mechanism for the parties to challenge the court's final judgment or verdict after the conclusion of a trial. These motions allow the parties to seek further relief, such as a judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) or a new trial, based on legal errors or a lack of sufficient evidence to support the original decision. Post-trial motions must be filed within a specific time frame, typically 28 days after the entry of the final judgment, and the standards for granting these motions vary depending on the jurisdiction and the type of motion. The ability to file post-trial motions is an important step in the litigation process, as it can preserve a party's right to appeal the final judgment.
• Describe the key differences between a motion for a JNOV and a motion for a new trial in the context of post-trial procedures.
  • A motion for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) and a motion for a new trial are two distinct post-trial motions that serve different purposes. A JNOV motion asks the court to override the jury's verdict and enter judgment in favor of the moving party, typically based on a finding that the evidence was legally insufficient to support the verdict. In contrast, a motion for a new trial seeks to have the court grant a completely new trial, often due to errors or irregularities that occurred during the initial trial. The standards for granting these motions also differ, with a JNOV requiring a finding that no reasonable jury could have reached the original verdict, while a new trial may be granted based on a broader range of issues, such as evidentiary errors or juror misconduct. The choice between these two post-trial motions depends on the specific circumstances of the case and the grounds for challenging the court's final judgment.
• Analyze the role of post-trial motions in preserving a party's right to appeal the final judgment in a civil lawsuit.
  • Post-trial motions play a crucial role in preserving a party's right to appeal the final judgment in a civil lawsuit. By filing a post-trial motion, such as a motion for a JNOV or a new trial, the party is able to raise specific legal issues and challenges to the court's decision, which can then be further reviewed on appeal. The timely filing of post-trial motions is often a prerequisite for the right to appeal, as it demonstrates that the party has properly preserved their objections and sought relief from the trial court before seeking review by a higher court. Additionally, the grounds and arguments raised in the post-trial motions can provide the foundation for the issues that will be presented on appeal, ensuring that the appellate court has a complete record of the party's challenges to the final judgment. Therefore, the effective use of post-trial motions is a critical step in the litigation process, as it lays the groundwork for a party's ability to appeal the court's final decision.

Related terms

Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict (JNOV): A post-trial motion in which the losing party asks the court to override the jury's verdict and enter judgment in their favor.

Motion for a New Trial: A post-trial motion in which a party requests the court to grant a new trial, typically due to errors or irregularities that occurred during the initial trial.

Appeal: A legal process in which a party seeks to have a higher court review and potentially overturn or modify the final judgment or ruling of a lower court.