Court Opinion

ID: 9844940
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 03:12:15.748028+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:15:47.892443
License: Public Domain

TAYLOR, Chief Justice
(concurring and dissenting):
I agree that IRCP 50(b) has been construed to require a motion for directed verdict at the close of the evidence as a condition precedent for submission to the trial court of a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict. However, I see no reason for such a requirement, by rule or otherwise.
I dissent from any implication in the opinion that the trial court may not entertain a motion for a new trial in the absence of a motion for a directed verdict.
I also dissent from the holding by the majority that this court may not review the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the verdict, upon a proper assignment thereof, in the absence of the presentation of that issue in the trial court by way of motion for a directed verdict, motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, or motion for a new trial. The issue of the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a verdict is always before the trial court, and that court may order a new trial upon its own initiative, without a motion by either party. IRCP 59(d).
I am aware that some of the federal courts have held that an order granting a judgment notwithstanding the verdict, or a review on appeal of the sufficiency of the evidence to support a verdict, in the absence of a motion for a directed verdict, is an invasion of the constitutional right of trial by jury. That ruling is purely fictitious, and without support in logic or reason.
This court has always maintained its authority to review the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a verdict, when properly assigned, regardless of whether that issue was presented to the trial court specifically by one of the motions mentioned. Our long-established rule that we will not upset a verdict which is supported by substantial and competent evidence, from which reasonable minds might draw conflicting conclusions, is a complete and adequate safeguard of the integrity of the jury verdict, and of a litigant’s constitutional right thereto. A verdict not so supported is an unjust verdict. No litigant has a right, constitutional or otherwise, to such a verdict. A fair jury is a prime requisite of due process. Ponder v. Davis, 233 N.C. 699, 65 S.E.2d 356 (1951). Cf. United States ex rel. Brown v. Smith, 200 F.Supp. 885, 905 (D.C.Vt.1962) and cases cited note 144.
*510The right of the trial court, upon motion for new trial, to review the sufficiency of the evidence to support the verdict is preserved by our rule IRCP 59(a) and our statutory rule R10-602(6). Such authority is not in any way dependent or conditioned upon a previous motion for directed verdict, or for judgment notwithstanding the verdict. The authority of this court to review a verdict upon the ground of sufficiency of the evidence, upon appeal from an order denying a new trial sought on that ground, is not questioned. But, it is said that in the absence of a motion for directed verdict, or for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, or for a new trial, this court may not review the verdict on that ground on an appeal from the judgment. With this I do not agree. Our statutory rule R10-502 preserves, to the losing party, an exception to “the verdict of the jury,” and thus extends to such party the right to have the verdict reviewed by this court, upon the ground of sufficiency of the evidence, or any other recognized ground. I do not agree with the statement in the majority opinion that the foregoing statutory rule has been abrogated by IRCP 46. Rule 46 preserves exceptions only to rulings and orders of the trial court. It does not extend to the verdict of the jury. It, therefore, does not purport to cover all of the provisions or exceptions referred to in R10-502, and it is not in conflict with the statutory rule. The rules of civil procedure adopted in 1958 specifically provide that prior statutory rules which are “in conflict therewith shall be of no further force or effect.” Conversely, where there is no conflict, the prior statutory rule continues in force and effect. It follows that a litigant appealing to this court from a judgment based upon the verdict of a jury, is entitled, by proper assignment, to have the verdict reviewed on the ground of the sufficiency of the evidence, whether or not a motion was made in the trial court raising that issue.
On other issues I concur with the majority.