term:

Remittitur

remittitur n

[Latin, it is sent back, remitted, third person singular present indicative passive of remittere to send back, remit]
1 a : a procedure under which a court may order the reduction of an excessive verdict
;esp
: 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

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.