Legal Glossary - J
Judgment - The final decision by a court in any lawsuit is know as a judgment. When combined with the word "final", this phrase refers to a written decision rendered by the judge who presided at the trial, stating rulings on all issues, and completes the case unless it is appealed to a higher court.
Judgment Not Withstanding the Verdict - Often abbreviated as J.N.O.V., this phrase refers to a practice in American courts whereas the judge who presides over a civil trial can overrule a decision made by a jury and reverse or make changes to the verdict. The J.N.O.V. is allowed so that a judge may use his discretion in amending what he believes to be an unreasonable or extreme decision made by the jury.
Last modified: December 12 2007.
