Opinion ID: 2625048
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: directed verdict or involuntary dismissal

Text: ¶ 9 As an initial matter, although Axiom characterized its motion as one for a directed verdict pursuant to rule 50(a) of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, and although the trial court purported to grant a directed verdict, it is the substance, not the labeling, of a motion that is dispositive in determining the character of the motion. See Watkiss & Campbell v. Foa & Son, 808 P.2d 1061, 1064 (Utah 1991) (stating that an incorrect title placed upon a pleading is not a bar to a party's case); Gallardo v. Bolinder, 800 P.2d 816, 817 (Utah 1990) (same). ¶ 10 As its name implies, a motion for a directed verdict under rule 50(a) contemplates only jury trials. See Wessel v. Erickson Landscaping Co., 711 P.2d 250, 252 (Utah 1985). In the context of a bench trial, the directed verdict's procedural counterpart is a motion for involuntary dismissal under rule 41(b) of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure. See Utah R. Civ. P. 41(b). Therefore, because this case was tried by the court without a jury, we treat Axiom's motion for a directed verdict as one for an involuntary dismissal pursuant to rule 41(b). See, e.g., 75A Am.Jur.2d Trial § 855, at 454 (1991) (When a case is tried by the court without a jury, and a defendant moves for a judgment at the close of the plaintiff's case, the defendant is seeking an involuntary dismissal, not a directed verdict. (footnote omitted)); 9 Charles A. Wright & Arthur R. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure § 2371, at 388 (1995) (stating that [a] motion for a directed verdict in a nonjury case is treated as if it were a motion to dismiss).