A motion for judgment as a matter of law is a procedure during trial in which a party who does not have the burden of proof on a claim (generally the defendant) or on a defense to a claim (generally the plaintiff) may ask the court to dismiss the claim or defense before the jury is allowed to decide it. The standard for dismissing such a claim or defense is whether no reasonable jury could find for the opposing party on the claim or defense. In the federal court system, a motion for judgment as a matter of law is governed by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50.

In Michigan, a motion for judgment as a matter of law is a legal procedure that can be invoked during a trial when a party believes there is insufficient evidence for the opposing party's claim or defense to warrant a jury decision. This motion is typically used by a defendant to challenge the plaintiff's case, but it can also be used by a plaintiff to challenge a defendant's defense. The standard for the court to grant such a motion is that no reasonable jury could find in favor of the opposing party based on the evidence presented. In federal court cases, this motion is governed by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50. Michigan state courts follow a similar standard, which is codified in the Michigan Court Rules. Specifically, MCR 2.519 provides the framework for a motion for directed verdict, which is the state court equivalent of the federal motion for judgment as a matter of law. The timing and specific procedures for filing such a motion may vary slightly between federal and state courts, but the underlying principle is consistent: the motion is a request for the court to rule on the legal sufficiency of the evidence before the case goes to the jury.