---
title: "Draft a merits-review statement of facts and grounds"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/immigration-and-migration-law/draft-a-merits-review-statement-of-facts-and-grounds"
type: "task"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A30-T1-R8"
practice_area: "Immigration & Migration Law"
tier: "red"
lawyer_review: "required"
last_reviewed: "2026-09-28"
---

# Draft a merits-review statement of facts and grounds

> From the delegate's decision, the departmental file and the evidence index, tabulate each adverse finding against the criterion it turns on, build the visa and notification chronology with the document that proves each…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/immigration-and-migration-law/draft-a-merits-review-statement-of-facts-and-grounds  
Last reviewed: 2026-09-28

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Immigration & Migration Law](https://ailawframework.com/practice/immigration-and-migration-law.md) |
| Human involvement | Red: Lawyer writes; AI may check, clarify or collect data |
| How AI is used | From the delegate's decision, the departmental file and the evidence index, tabulate each adverse finding against the criterion it turns on, build the visa and notification chronology with the document that proves each date, and list the findings the file does not yet answer. The lawyer writes the statement of facts and every ground: the tool drafts no part of it, suggests no wording, and writes nothing into any statutory declaration lodged with it. |
| What the lawyer must review | The lawyer writes the statement and the grounds, then checks their own text: every asserted fact traceable to a document in the index or to the client's confirmed instructions, every ground tied to the finding and the criterion it attacks, and nothing asserted the client has not verified, because a false or misleading statement to the Tribunal can attract PIC 4020 and a re-application bar. The lawyer also verifies the tool's chronology dates and extracted findings against the decision and notification record, and that the statement answers the Tribunal's directions and is lodged within the review period. |
| Written for / versions | 2 jurisdiction versions below |

## Checking plan

**Source-by-source verification**

Trace relied-on content to independent sources and check for relevant material the output has missed.

- What the AI does: Potential support includes preparing preliminary structure or wording and summarising source material. Confirm the tool’s capability and permitted scope.
- What the lawyer does: Set the scope, verify the evidence, resolve exceptions and approve the final output for its intended use.
- Who reviews: Responsible lawyer with competence in the matter
- Basis: Suggested checking approach based on the task guidance. Complete the assessment for the actual tool, information and jurisdiction.
- Why: The plan reflects the described work and review requirements. Policy colours are not used to determine permission or checking.

## Checks the lawyer makes

1. Open each relied-on authority independently. Confirm its existence, current status, proposition and any quotation or pinpoint reference.
2. Calculate operative dates independently from the current rule and actual triggering event. Check exceptions and record the verified deadline.
3. Check the current court or regulator requirements, prescribed form and attachments for the intended document and filing.
4. Verify the applicable jurisdiction and the version of each relevant law, rule or instrument in force at the material time.
5. Confirm the output against the client’s instructions and the complete relevant source material, including omissions or contradictions.
6. Resolve exceptions and record the responsible lawyer’s approval of the exact output and intended use.

## Notes

- Confirm the required checking with the responsible lawyer before work starts. The checking approach does not establish permission to use AI.

## Jurisdiction versions

| Jurisdiction | Level |
| --- | --- |
| [United States](https://ailawframework.com/practice/immigration-and-migration-law/draft-a-merits-review-statement-of-facts-and-grounds/united-states.md) | Red |
| [New Zealand](https://ailawframework.com/practice/immigration-and-migration-law/draft-a-merits-review-statement-of-facts-and-grounds/new-zealand.md) | Red |

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*