Advise on a motion for a more definite statement
Key facts
- Human involvement
- RedLawyer-led
- How AI is used
- From the pleading, list the allegations the instructions say are too vague to answer, and whether a responsive pleading has been filed. Do not decide that the pleading is inadequate and do not draft the motion.
- What the lawyer must review
- You decide whether Rule 12(e) is met and what details to seek, and you write the motion. A party may move for a more definite statement of a pleading to which a responsive pleading is allowed but which is so vague or ambiguous that the party cannot reasonably prepare a response. The motion must be made before filing a responsive pleading and must point out the defects and the details desired. If the court orders a more definite statement and the order is not obeyed within 14 days after notice, or within the time the court sets, the court may strike the pleading or issue another order. If the court grants the motion, the responsive pleading is due within 14 days after the more definite statement is served, unless the court sets a different time. Presenting the motion is a Rule 11 certification. Formal Opinion 512 requires you to review generated text before it is filed.
- Written for / version
- United States versionUS
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Assistance | Supporting preparation only. Limit any support to organising, indexing or comparing the source material. Confirm the tool’s capability and permitted scope. The tool writes nothing into the document. Substantive advice, judgement and any restricted content remain with the responsible human. |
| Lawyer | Perform the substantive analysis and decisions. Independently check any permitted supporting work and approve the exact output for its intended use. |
Checklist
- Check the current court or regulator requirements, prescribed form and attachments for the intended document and filing.
- Confirm the output against the client’s instructions and the complete relevant source material, including omissions or contradictions.
- Resolve exceptions and record the responsible lawyer’s approval of the exact output and intended use.