Bill > S08625

This bill amends the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules to significantly change how appellate courts review jury verdicts and damage awards. Specifically, the bill requires appellate divisions to give the "highest degree of deference" to jury fact-finding, meaning they can only overturn a jury's decision if it "shocks the conscience of the court." The new standard makes it much harder for an appellate court to modify a jury's verdict, requiring a moving party to provide "clear and convincing evidence" that no reasonable jury could have reached the same conclusion. When reviewing a case, appellate courts must now view the evidence most favorably to the winning party and cannot substitute their own judgment for the jury's assessments of credibility, evidence weight, or damage amounts. This change aims to reinforce the jury's role as the primary fact-finder in legal proceedings and limit appellate courts' ability to second-guess jury decisions, thereby providing more stability and predictability in legal outcomes. The bill will apply to all actions filed on or after its effective date.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8625