Rule 50.Judgment as a Matter of Law in Actions Tried by Jury; Alternative Motion for New Trial; Conditional Rulings.
Current through February 2024 · Last verified July 8, 2026
Full Text of Rule 50
Amendment History
Rhode Island does not publish a per-rule amendment history inside the compiled rules text reproduced here. The text above is verified current through the source’s own February 2024 printing; for the underlying adopting orders and any later amendments, see the Rhode Island Judiciary’s compiled rules page.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 50 covers what happens when the evidence at a jury trial cannot support a verdict for one side on a given issue. If a party has been fully heard on an issue and no reasonable jury could find in that party’s favor, the judge may resolve the issue directly and grant judgment as a matter of law against that party. A party can raise this at any time before the case goes to the jury, and the motion must specify the judgment sought and the grounds for it. This is the same moment traditionally handled by a motion for a directed verdict — the issue never reaches the jury.
If the moving party raises this at the close of the opponent’s evidence, the judge has another option: order the claim dismissed without prejudice instead of granting judgment. The judge can take this step on the court’s own initiative as well, without any motion.
If a motion for judgment as a matter of law made at the close of all the evidence is denied, or the judge never rules on it, the case still goes to the jury, but the losing party can renew the motion within ten days after entry of judgment. This renewed motion covers the ground once handled by a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, or JNOV. It can be paired with, or made as an alternative to, a motion for a new trial under Rule 59. Depending on whether the jury returned a verdict, the judge may let the judgment stand, reopen it and order a new trial, reopen it and direct entry of judgment as a matter of law, or, if no verdict was returned, direct entry of judgment as a matter of law or order a new trial.
When the judge grants the renewed motion, Rule 50 requires the judge to also rule, conditionally, on any accompanying new-trial motion, stating the grounds either way. That conditional ruling does not affect the finality of the judgment already entered. If the case is later reversed on appeal, the conditional grant or denial determines whether a new trial goes forward, unless the Supreme Court has ordered otherwise. The party against whom judgment as a matter of law was rendered can still move for a new trial under Rule 59 within ten days of the judgment. And if the judge denies the motion for judgment as a matter of law altogether, the party who won that ruling can still argue on appeal that a new trial is warranted if the Supreme Court finds the trial judge erred in denying it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is judgment as a matter of law under Rhode Island Rule 50?
It is a ruling the trial judge makes on an issue during trial, before the case reaches the jury, when no reasonable jury could find for the party on that issue given the evidence presented. It takes that issue away from the jury.
Is Rule 50 the same as a directed verdict or JNOV?
Rule 50 covers the same ground under different names. A motion made before the case goes to the jury functions like a traditional directed verdict, and a renewed motion made within ten days after judgment functions like a traditional motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict.
How long do I have to renew a motion for judgment as a matter of law after trial?
Ten days after entry of judgment. The renewed motion can be joined with, or made as an alternative to, a motion for a new trial under Rule 59.