Legal Definitions - N.O.V.

When a judge sets aside a jury's decision in a lawsuit or a guilty verdict because they believe the decision is not supported by the facts or the law, it is called a "judgment N.O.V." N.O.V. is short for the Latin phrase "non obstante veredicto," which means "notwithstanding the verdict."

For example, if a jury finds a defendant guilty of a crime, but the judge believes there is not enough evidence to support the verdict, the judge may grant a motion for a judgment N.O.V. and set aside the guilty verdict. This means the defendant is no longer considered guilty and may be released from custody.

Another example is in a civil lawsuit, where a jury may award damages to one party, but the judge may believe the evidence does not support the amount of damages awarded. The judge may then grant a motion for a judgment N.O.V. and reduce the damages awarded.

These examples illustrate how a judge can use a judgment N.O.V. to correct a jury's decision when they believe it is not supported by the facts or the law.