What is the legal term for a court's order reducing the amount of a jury award deemed excessive?

The legal term for a court's order reducing the amount of a jury award deemed excessive is remittitur. This process occurs when a judge believes that the jury's award is not supported by the evidence or is disproportionately high compared to the damages proven in the case. By granting a remittitur, the judge allows the prevailing party to either accept the reduced amount or go to a new trial to reassess damages. This ensures that awards remain reasonable and just, aligning with legal standards of compensation and fairness in the judicial system.

The distinction between remittitur and similar terms, like rescission, is important. Rescission refers to the termination of a contract and the return of parties to their pre-contractual state, which does not relate to jury awards. A simple ruling encompasses any decision made by a judge but does not specifically pertain to reducing jury awards. Thus, remittitur is specifically tailored to address issues of excessive jury verdicts.