Motions under rules 1.1003 and 1.1004 and bills of exception under rule 1.1001 must be filed within fifteen days after filing of the verdict, report or decision with the clerk or discharge of a jury which failed to return a verdict, unless the court, for good cause shown and not ex parte, grants an additional time not to exceed 30 days. Resistances and replies may be filed and supporting briefs may be served as provided in rules 1.431(4) and 1.431(5).
Rule 1.1007.Time for motions and exceptions
Division X: Proceedings After Judgment · Last amended October 4, 2010 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1.1007 gives parties 15 days after the verdict, report, or decision is filed, or a hung jury is discharged, to file judgment notwithstanding the verdict motions, new-trial motions, or bills of exceptions, with up to 30 extra days available only for good cause shown on notice to the other side.
Full Text of Rule 1.1007
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1.1007 sets one deadline that covers three different filings: motions under Rules 1.1003 and 1.1004, and bills of exceptions under Rule 1.1001. All three must be filed within 15 days after the verdict, report, or decision is filed with the clerk, or after discharge of a jury that failed to return a verdict.
The court can extend that window, but only within limits — for good cause shown, and not ex parte, the court may grant additional time not to exceed 30 days. Resistances and replies may be filed, and supporting briefs served, as provided in Rule 1.431(4) and (5).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a new-trial or judgment notwithstanding the verdict motion after the verdict?
15 days after the verdict, report, or decision is filed with the clerk, or after the jury is discharged without reaching a verdict.
Can the court extend that 15-day deadline?
Yes, for good cause shown, but not ex parte, and the extension cannot exceed 30 additional days.
Does this 15-day deadline also apply to a bill of exceptions?
Yes. Rule 1.1007 covers bills of exceptions under Rule 1.1001 as well as motions under Rules 1.1003 and 1.1004.
What starts the clock if the jury never reaches a verdict?
The discharge of the jury that failed to return a verdict.
How are resistances and replies to these motions handled?
They may be filed, and supporting briefs served, under Rule 1.431(4) and (5).
Source & verification. Rule text and the Comment are
reproduced verbatim from the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the
Iowa Supreme Court. Last verified July 15, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: iowa 15 day new trial deadlineiowa rule 1.1007deadline for jnov motion iowabill of exceptions deadline iowaextension of new trial motion deadline iowa