Opinion ID: 2108204
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Standard Relevant to the Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law

Text: In reviewing a trial justice's denial of judgment as a matter of law pursuant to Rule 50(a)(1) of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, this Court applies the same standards as did the trial justice. Marcil v. Kells, 936 A.2d 208, 212 (R.I. 2007); see also Mills v. State Sales, Inc., 824 A.2d 461, 472 (R.I.2003). In cases tried to a jury, a party may move for judgment as a matter of law under Rule 50(a)(1) once an opposing party has been fully heard on an issue. Broadley v. State, 939 A.2d 1016, 1020 (R.I.2008). The trial justice may grant the motion upon determining that there is no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to find for that party on that issue   . Rule 50(a)(1). However, the motion must be denied if there are factual issues concerning which reasonable people may reach differing conclusions. Trainor v. The Standard Times, 924 A.2d 766, 769 (R.I.2007). Pursuant to Rule 50, it is the role of the trial justice to evaluate the evidence adduced at trial in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, without weighing the evidence or passing on the credibility of the witnesses. Trainor, 924 A.2d at 769.