Massachusetts Motion NOV stands for "Judgement Non Obstacle Verdict." It is a legal term used in the Massachusetts court system, and it refers to a post-trial motion filed by a party in a civil case seeking to overturn a jury's verdict and have a judgement entered in their favor based on the law. When a jury reaches a verdict in a civil case, the losing party may believe that the verdict is legally incorrect or not supported by the evidence presented. In such cases, the losing party can file a Motion NOV as a post-trial remedy to challenge the jury's decision. The purpose is to persuade the court that, as a matter of law, the evidence presented during the trial was insufficient to support the judgement rendered by the jury. In Massachusetts, there are various types of Motions NOV that can be filed, depending on the specific grounds for challenging the jury's verdict. Some of these include: 1. Insufficient Evidence: This type of Motion NOV asserts that the evidence presented during the trial was inadequate to support the verdict reached by the jury. The moving party must demonstrate that no reasonable jury could reach the verdict based on the evidence presented. 2. Errors in the Application of Law: This type of motion argues that the court made legal errors in instructing the jury on the applicable law, which resulted in an erroneous verdict. The moving party must show that the court's legal instructions were incorrect and prejudicial to their case. 3. Misconduct or Bias: A Motion NOV can also be filed if the moving party believes that there was juror misconduct or bias that influenced the jury's decision. Such motions require substantial evidence supporting the allegations of misconduct or bias. 4. Newly Discovered Evidence: If new evidence that was not available during the trial arises and is material to the case, a party may file a Motion NOV based on newly discovered evidence. The court will consider whether this evidence would likely have had a significant impact on the outcome and whether it justifies granting a new trial or reversing the judgement. It is important to note that the granting of a Motion NOV is discretionary and will depend on the judge's evaluation of the legal arguments and evidence presented. If the court grants the motion, it will overturn the jury's verdict and enter a new judgement in favor of the moving party. However, if the motion is denied, the original verdict will usually stand, and the losing party may choose to appeal the decision to a higher court. In summary, a Massachusetts Motion NOV is a legal mechanism to challenge and potentially overturn a jury's verdict based on legal grounds. It provides an opportunity for parties dissatisfied with the verdict to seek a favorable judgement by persuading the court that the jury's decision was legally incorrect. The types of motions that can be filed include insufficient evidence, errors in the application of law, misconduct or bias, and newly discovered evidence.