RULE 16
DIRECTED VERDICT; JUDGMENT NOTWITHSTANDING THE VERDICT

(a) At the close of evidence offered by a party, if the case presents only questions of law, the court may direct a verdict on its own motion or on motion of either party. The order of the court granting a directed verdict is effective without any assent of a jury.

(b) If, at the close of all the evidence, a directed verdict is not granted, the court is deemed to have submitted the action to the jury subject to a later determination of the legal questions raised during the trial of the case if the case is being tried before a jury. If a jury verdict is returned, the court may allow the judgment to stand or may reopen the judgment and either order a new trial or direct the entry of judgment as if a directed verdict had been granted. A jury verdict is final if no motion for a new trial or judgment notwithstanding the verdict is filed with the court within ten (10) days of the rendering of the jury verdict and the court has not on its own motion ordered a new trial or directed a verdict notwithstanding the jury verdict. However, in cases involving landlords and tenants under Chapters 37 and 40, Title 27 of the South Carolina Code, a jury verdict is final if no motion for a new trial or judgment notwithstanding the verdict is filed with the court within five (5) days of the rendering of the jury verdict and the court has not on its own motion ordered a new trial or directed a verdict notwithstanding the jury verdict.

Amended by Order dated April 29, 2015.