Document: 344 U.S. 48 73 S.Ct. 125 97 L.Ed. 77 JOHNSONv.NEW YORK, N.H. & H. R. CO. No. 40. Argued Oct. 23, 24, 1952. Decided Nov. 17, Jacquin Frank, New York City, for petitioner. Mr. Robert M. Peet, respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case raises questions concerning power a Court Appeals to render judgment defendant instead merely ordering new trial after it has set aside jury verdict and court plaintiff. 2 The petitioner sued respondent railroad under Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. § 688, U.S.C.A. wrongful death her husband. When evidence was all in, moved dismiss complaint also asked directed in its favor on grounds that no negligence had been proven deceased responsible his own death. reserved decision motion, submitted jury, $20,000 returned petitioner, entered verdict. Within ten days reception have ground excessive, contrary law, evidence, weight evidence. More than two months later this motion denied; same order denying denied preverdict motions dismissal which action prior Holding should granted, reversed. 194 F.2d 194. Both parties agree reversal requires District enter notwithstanding verdict, thereby depriving another trial. Whether could direct such consistently with Rule 50(b) Federal Rules Civil Procedure, 28 U.S.C.A.,1 is single question we granted certiorari review. 343 975, 72 1073. 3 On several recent occasions considered 50(b). We said absence made within rule forbids judge or an appellate judgment. Cone v. West Virginia Pulp Paper Co., 330 212, 67 752, 91 849. repeated construction Globe Liquor Co. San Roman, 332 571, 68 246, 92 177, reemphasized Fountain Filson, 336 681, 69 754, 93 971. 4 Although did not as move 'to accordance (its) verdict'. are told, however, respondent's brief 'was intended be trial' '(o)bviously want but wanted relief invariably follows setting urged: trial.' defect argument cannot measured by unexpressed intention wants. Neither nor appears treated asking anything that. And surely opportunity remedy any shortcomings jeopardized failure fathom unspoken hopes counsel. Respondent's nothing what actually was, one verdict—not 5 Respondent separately argues judge's express reservation relieves party from duty whatever make contention only flies teeth rule's unambiguous language if sustained would undermine safeguards litigants some pointed out cases. carefully sets steps procedures followed prerequisite entry judgments adverse Montgomery Ward Duncan, 311 243, 250, 61 189, 193, 85 147. It adopted following confusion field brought about part three cases decided Court, Slocum Life Ins. 228 364, 33 523, 57 879; Baltimore Carolina Line, Inc., Redman, 295 654, 55 890, 79 1636; Aetna Kennedy, Use Bogash, 301 389, 809, 81 1177. understood hold Seventh Amendment forbade United States courts other. Redman tried held forbid where, judge, procedure, expressly reversed authorized follow state practice because Conformity R.S.1878, 914. Thus purport adopt procedure general guidance federal courts. Later Kennedy cast doubt holding, at least scope. In plaintiff's request timely required Pennsylvania law. Failure conform reason given finding lack verdict.2 6 designed provide precise plan end prevailing verdicts verdicts. State longer control were guided rule, provided exclusive procedural program. rejected applied case, permitted even though do so filed Instead approached more closely relied awarded specific them. But departed making wholly unnecessary itself automatic. A always 'deemed subject determination' right 'Within 10 * *.' requirement application idle motion. solves factual against postverdict movant thus emphasizes importance legal issues. can ask either errors law discretionary grounds. essential firmly grounded principles fairness. See supra, pages 217—218, 755—756. Poor support abandonment afforded mere fact makes reserves regardless does. 7 written construed us difficult understand observe. Rewriting fit counsel's wants intentions easy reintroduce type uncertainty end. 1946 amendment who, like respondent, then. Moore, Practice (2d ed. 1951) 50.01(7), 50.01(9), 50.11. No sufficiently persuasive reasons presented why now guise interpretation. 8 time failed comply permission n.o.v. situation entitled trial, favor. vacated cause remanded further proceedings consistent opinion.3 ordered. 9 Judgment directions. FRANKFURTER, whom JACKSON, BURTON MINTON join, dissenting. 11 If Court's disposed particular litigation error suit, expression dissent, let alone dissenting opinion, justified. there it, neither justified granting petition certiorari. considerations review here appropriate spell dissent. 12 Not important business guide lower Bar effective economical conduct litigation. That involved case. immediate issue Procedure. turn depends upon our basic attitude toward those Rules—whether take their force lie very words, treating them talismanic formulas, whether believe they rational instruments doing justice between man coming before 13 Our concern Procedure.1 became September 16, 1938. Two years later, 147, called determine To so, consider experience led promulgation Rule. Its aim speed without prejudicing legitimate interests litigants; see full fair consideration issues raise does become socially wasteful game. unanimous gave guiding direction: '* administer accomplish permissible terms.' page 253, 195. statement rules, he properly should, alternative denies both, may reverse former 254, 195, 14 Subsequent came Courts disregarded outlined significant respect. although 849; 177; decisions suggest, whose directs use ritualistic formula relevant inquiry therefore, meaning rendered constituted disposition unless commands must 'move thereon verdict', form words. require this. Nothing Rule, terms origin, abracadabra obedience it. 15 comparison facts Cone, leaves common Fountain. tabular analysis four appended. There Fountain, resulted prejudice losing wanting here.2 16 each earlier theory other proceeded court, first assigned decisive choice claim resist recovery. assumption proof constructive possession sustain action; Appeals, Cir., 153 576, definitively holding actual proved. plaintiff secured basis warranty sale; 160 800, seller, seller asked, open buyer, aid additional succeed implied warranty. himself declared beneficiary resulting trust certain realty. While 84 U.S.App.D.C. 46, 171 999, agreed Jersey precluded imposition trust, personal money never exercise discretion went off 17 deviation defendant's departing alleged custom, causation. These duly pressed contrast possible surprise find nourishment. cases, being decisively different govern 18 Let me out, side side, much pertinent Johnson 19 Comes defendant, behalf 20 York, 21 Company, files Haven Hartford 22 praying Railroad, I 23 jury's herein 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 alternative, therefor states: A. Motion 34 35 36 1. 37 38 2. 39 3. 40 41 42 43 8. 44 prove 45 preponderance B. 47 trial: (Specifications 1-8 above.) 49 9. damages excessive 50 found 51 based 52 excessive.3 53 difference nil. One formally labelled detailed. oral, familiar practitioners less clear. Judge's demonstrates sufficient then, grant holds already stated (after verdict) repeat. obvious, left unsaid colloquies counsel spoken. redundant, omitted respect intelligence professional competence, spelled out. sure indulge ancient weakness stylized repetition, necessary answer twice recognized. way conduce efficiency economy administration justice.' Proceedings Institute Washington, D.C., Symposium City 87 (1938) (Chesnut, J.). 54 fateful Friday 13th, April, 1951, sometime shortly 10:30 morning when opened, prefaced saying, 'Your Honor, addressing myself my pending your Honor decision, course necessarily n.o.v., renew motion.' avoided today's him, added jot information regarding decision. read (added italics): who aside. Such will repeats states 'motion verdict." Procedure product progress centuries medieval court-room contest—a thinly disguised version combat—to modern 'Procedure means; full, equal exact enforcement substantive end.' Pound, Etiquette Justice, Neb. St. Assn. 231 (1909). underlies Rules; mind 56 great Baron Parke: 'His fault almost superstitious reverence dark technicalities special pleading, reforms introduced Common Law Acts 1854 1855 occasioned resignation.' Sir James Parke, D.N.B. 226. Parke despaired prematurely. waited hundred today vindicated belief judges imprisoned devising, lifeless formality justice. 58 APPENDIX. 59 60 Filson N. Y., etc. Roman 752 246 754 62 CAUSE OF Trespass. Contract. Resulting Wrongful 63 ACTION trust. death—Jones Act. 64 TRIAL Title Existence 65 ISSUES. possession. contract 66 deed option. PRE-VERDICT For summary 70 MOTIONS. judgment, 71 defendant. Denied. Granted. Decision reserved. 74 75 JUDGMENT. 76 POST-VERDICT None. defendant; 78 denied. 80 n. o. 82 83 action. 86 TIME ELAPSED days. BETWEEN immediately JUDGMENT AND MOTION. 88 DISPOSTION 89 IN C. 90 576. 800. 999. 94 DISPOSITION Reversed. Trial 95 HERE governs. 96 chance "on 98 99 100 opposite 101 102 103 present 104 defense 105 106 court." 107 683, 108 755. [Page intentionally blank] 109 MINTON, 110 FRANKFURTER upholding returning directions add think valid. 111 After decided, Congress 1948 revised Judicial Code, 2106, clearly taken here. Section 2106 reads follows: 112 'The Supreme jurisdiction affirm, modify, vacate, decree, lawfully review, remand order, just circumstances.' 113 me, statute controlling. controlling criminal Bryan States, 338 552, 317, 335. BLACK, speaks dissented thought By act Congress, rests according record made. 'Whenever close deemed determination raised verdict; party, discharged, joined prayed alternative. *' then Pa.Laws 1905, 198, P.S. 681. Like binding explained follows, case: 'To secure benefit complied with; is, refusal instructions proper due time. Pyle Finnessy, 275 Pa. 54, 5m, 118 568. Here certified discloses True, but, jurisdiction, ignored. stands sustained.' Manatawny Mutual Fire Storm 277 102, 104, 120 763, 764. writer Chief convinced attempted railroad. What (194 197): 'In granted. Accordingly reversed.' equivalent court's 50(b), 'either' 'or' informed judicial condition precedent these alternatives. 215, 754. exercised clerk. told during oral Second Circuit clerk include mandate direction district where reverses kind clerk's automatically possibly result willing attribute Circuit. Circuit's prescribe kind. F.C.A.Rules c. 5, pp. 96—103, S.Ct.Dig. 143—169, U.S.Dig., (L.Ed.), 573—589. Nor rules circuit. cc. 4—13, 84—194, 107—523, 545—827. indicates Since adoption 1938, appeals wishing clear, simple mandatory language. As Circuit, e.g., Venides Greek Shipowners Corp., 168 681; Brennan O.R. 115 555; Williams Jersey-New Transit 649; Conway O'Brien, 611. Fifth emphatically authorize hearing. Fleniken Great American Indemnity 142 938; re 188 424, 425—426. '(b) Reservation Motion. Whenever allow stand reopen requested directed. post-verdict (there none Fountain) specifically recited proper. newly discovered Moreover, too late pray claimed rulings taking jury. verdict' supported both Having heard briefs transcript, course, insufficient forgotten dealing arguments him Motions defendants well, specifications quote materially

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