Not later than 10 days after entry of judgment, a party who has moved for a directed verdict at the close of all the evidence may move to have the verdict and any judgment entered thereon set aside and to have judgment entered in accordance with his motion for a directed verdict; or if a verdict was not returned, such party within 10 days after the jury has been discharged may move for judgment in accordance with his motion for a directed verdict. A motion for a new trial may be joined with this motion, or a new trial may be prayed for in the alternative. If a verdict was returned the court may allow the judgment to stand or may reopen the judgment and either order a new trial or direct the entry of judgment as if the requested verdict had been directed. If no verdict was returned the court may direct the entry of judgment as if the requested verdict had been directed or may order a new trial.
Rule 50.02.Motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict; Alternative motion for new trial.
Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceRule 50.02 lets a party who moved for a directed verdict at the close of all the evidence ask, within 10 days after judgment or after the jury is discharged without one, to have judgment entered in that party's favor, alone or combined with a request for a new trial.
Full Text of Rule 50.02
Amendment History
(Amended effective April 1, 1963; July 1, 1969.)
Plain-English Summary
Rule 50.02 covers the motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, often called a JNOV motion. It is open only to a party who already moved for a directed verdict at the close of all the evidence -- it renews that same request after the jury has ruled, or failed to reach a verdict at all.
The deadline is short: 10 days after the judgment is entered, or, if the jury never returned a verdict, 10 days after the jury is discharged. A party can pair the JNOV motion with a request for a new trial, or ask for a new trial as a fallback if the judge won't enter judgment outright.
The judge has options either way. If the jury returned a verdict, the judge can let the judgment stand, or reopen it and either order a new trial or enter judgment as though the directed verdict had been granted in the first place. If the jury never returned a verdict, the judge can enter judgment as if the directed verdict had been granted, or order a new trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict in Kentucky?
Not later than 10 days after entry of judgment. If the jury did not return a verdict, the deadline runs 10 days from when the jury is discharged instead.
Can I ask for a new trial and judgment notwithstanding the verdict at the same time?
Yes. Rule 50.02 lets a party join a motion for a new trial with the JNOV motion, or request a new trial in the alternative.
What can the judge do when ruling on a JNOV motion?
If the jury returned a verdict, the judge may let the judgment stand, order a new trial, or enter judgment as if the directed verdict had been granted. If the jury never reached a verdict, the judge may enter judgment as if the directed verdict had been granted, or order a new trial.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure (Ky. R. Civ. P. 50.02). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Kentucky (Ky. Const. § 116). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: judgment notwithstanding the verdict kentuckyJNOV motion deadline kentuckymotion for new trial after verdict kentuckyCR 50.02renewing a directed verdict motion after the jury verdict