Judgment notwithstanding the verdict (NOV), also known as a judgment non obstacle verdict, is a legal term used in common law jurisdictions to describe a post-trial motion that allows a judge to overturn a jury's decision if it is deemed unreasonable or unsupported by the evidence presented during the trial. NOV is typically sought by the losing party who believes that the jury's verdict is contrary to the law or the facts of the case. It provides a mechanism for the judge to intervene and ensure the ultimate decision aligns with legal principles and the weight of evidence. This motion allows a judge to set aside a jury's verdict and enter a judgment in favor of the party against whom the verdict was rendered. During a trial, all parties present their evidence and arguments, and the jury is tasked with determining the facts of the case and delivering a verdict based on those facts. However, if the losing party can demonstrate that no reasonable jury would have reached the same conclusion based on the presented evidence, a NOV may be appropriate. Key factors considered in evaluating a NOV motion include the sufficiency of evidence, credibility of witnesses, legal errors in the trial, and jury misconduct. If the judge determines that the jury's decision was so unreasonable that no reasonable jury could have made the same ruling, a NOV may be granted. It is important to note that a NOV is distinct from an appeal. An appeal requires the losing party to argue against the trial judge's legal rulings or procedural errors to a higher court, seeking a reversal of the entire trial. In contrast, a NOV challenges only the jury's decision, allowing the judge to substitute their own judgment based on the evidence presented. In some jurisdictions, there might be different types of Novelize motions, such as: 1. Judgment notwithstanding the verdict as to liability: This type of NOV challenges the jury's verdict on the issue of liability, claiming that the evidence presented during the trial overwhelmingly favors the party seeking the motion. 2. Judgment notwithstanding the verdict as to damages: In cases where the jury's verdict awards excessive damages, the losing party may file this type of NOV motion, arguing that the compensation awarded is unreasonable and disproportionate to the harm suffered. 3. Conditional judgment notwithstanding the verdict: When a conditional verdict is rendered by the jury, this NOV motion is filed to overturn the verdict entirely, typically when certain conditions or elements required for the verdict to stand are not met. In conclusion, Judgment notwithstanding the verdict is an essential legal motion that allows a judge to overturn a jury's decision if it is deemed unreasonable or unsupported by the evidence. By providing a means to correct possible flaws in the jury's decision-making process, NOV ensures that justice prevails and the final judgment aligns with the merits of the case.