remittitur

noun

re·mit·ti·tur | \ ri-ˈmi-tə-tər \

Legal Definition of remittitur

1a : a procedure under which a court may order the reduction of an excessive verdict especially : a procedure in which the court requires the plaintiff to remit the portion of the verdict deemed excessive in lieu of a grant of a defendant's motion for a new trial or of a reversal if the court is an appellate court

b : a remission to a defendant by a plaintiff of the portion of a verdict considered excessive by the court

c : the formal agreement or stipulation of a plaintiff waiving or releasing the right to receive the portion of a verdict considered excessive — compare additur

2 : a sending back of a case and its record from an appellate or superior court to a trial or inferior court for further proceedings (as additional findings of fact) or for entry of a judgment in accordance with instructions or the decision of the higher court