Which is listed as a ground for granting a new trial?

• A. Prejudice
• B. Agreement to settle
• C. Substantial similarity of evidence
• D. Absence of counsel

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that a court can order a new trial when the trial was unfair because of prejudice. Prejudice means the verdict could have been tainted by biased or improper influences—such as juror bias, inflammatory remarks, or significant errors in admitting or excluding evidence—that would lead a reasonable observer to question the fairness of the outcome. If prejudice likely affected the result, a new trial helps prevent a miscarriage of justice.

The other options don’t fit as grounds for a new trial: an agreement to settle ends the litigation but does not grant a new trial; substantial similarity of evidence isn’t itself a basis for a new trial; and absence of counsel, while potentially serious, is typically a matter raised in appeals or claims of ineffective assistance rather than a direct ground for granting a new trial.