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The Daily Insight

What does remittitur mean in court?

Author

John Peck

Updated on March 29, 2026

A trial court order in response to an excessive damage award or verdict by a jury which gives the plaintiff the option to accept a reduced damage award or conviction, or the court may order a new trial. Specific criteria must be met before a court can grant a remittitur.

What does remittitur affirmed mean?

Remittitur: The Way Back Down. It is called a remittitur because the Code of Civil Procedure requires the court of appeal to “remit” its judgment-its decision affirming, reversing, or modifying the trial court judgment that was appealed-back to the court where the appeal originated.

What is a remittitur in Georgia?

Remittitur is a Latin word that means “it is sent back” and in the appeal context it is the order that the appellate court issues to send the case back to the trial court. It is issued as a matter of course at the end of the appeal and then either side has 10 days to ask for reconsideration.

Can you appeal remittitur?

A Court of Appeal must issue a remittitur after a decision in an appeal. (Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2008; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.) (B) The clerk/executive officer must send the lower court or tribunal the Court of Appeal remittitur and a filed-endorsed copy of the opinion or order.

How does a remittitur work?

It is a procedural device defense lawyers use when they lose at trial. Remittitur seeks to reduce the jury’s verdict. If the trial judge agrees that the jury verdict is excessive, the judge may order a new trial or reduce the amount of the jury award.

What happens after a remittitur is issued?

The appeal is complete after the Court of Appeal issues a remittitur. Moving forward, the trial court handles the case and enforces the decision of the Court of Appeal. If the parties have questions after they receive the remittitur, they need to contact the trial court.

What does remittitur mean in a court case?

Remittitur A trial court order in response to an excessive damage award or verdict by a jury which gives the plaintiff the option to accept a reduced damage award or conviction, or the court may order a new trial. Latin for “to send back, to remit.”

What happens if you file a motion for remittitur?

The court can either grant the motion for remittitur and reduce the damage award, or the court can order a new trial in the matter. The odds of being granted a new trial are slim, however. In order to be granted a new trial, the jury must award the exact amount of damages the plaintiff asked for.

Does filing a remittitur help prevent a timely retrial?

Penal Code section 1382 requires that a criminal appellant be brought to trial within 60 days after the filing of the remittitur in the trial court. Some appellate counsel think if they do not notify the superior court when the case is sent back for retrial, their inaction might help prevent timely retrial.

What is the Wisconsin rule on remittitur?

Milwaukee, under the Wisconsin rule, a plaintiff who accepts a remittitur may appeal the trial court’s determination of the damage issue if the opposing party appeals any issue.