Under Rule 50(b), when must the motion be in writing and filed?

• A. It must be in writing within 28 days of judgment and after a proper Rule 50(a) motion
• B. It must be filed within 14 days of judgment, with no requirement for 50(a)
• C. It can be submitted orally at a post-trial hearing
• D. It can be filed before the verdict

Answer: (A)

Rule 50 governs judgments as a matter of law, and the post-verdict challenge must go through a specific timing and form process. After a jury verdict, a party can move for JMOL under Rule 50(b), but the motion must be in writing and filed within 28 days after the entry of judgment. Importantly, this post-judgment motion sits on the record only if there was a proper Rule 50(a) motion made during trial (at the close of evidence). The clock starts when the judgment is entered, not at the verdict, and the motion cannot be oral or filed before the verdict. So the correct timing is: within 28 days after judgment, and only after a proper 50(a) motion was made.