Checking your own motion
For anyone filing without a lawyer.
Before you file
A motion asks the judge to decide or order something in your case.
- Follow the court's filing rules first, such as the notice of motion and proof of service. LexGrade doesn't cover them.
- Check your draft against each principle below. Each links to its requirements in the Standard.
- Look up every case and statute you cite and confirm it says what you claim. AI tools invent cases, and courts have sanctioned people for citing them.
The eight principles
From §9 of LexGrade Standard v1.1
| Principle | What it checks | Analogy |
|---|---|---|
| P1. Procedural Integrity | Did you follow the court's filing rules? (The court defines these — LexGrade does not.) | Like a tax return: missing a required form = rejected. Check the court's rules. |
| P2. Problem Diagnosis | Correct type of legal problem identified? | Wrong diagnosis = wrong treatment. |
| P3. Legal Authority | Right laws and cases supporting your request? | Five categories: statute, binding, persuasive, administrative, adverse. |
| P4. Factual Foundation | Facts proven with specific documents? | Every claim needs a receipt. |
| P5. Writing | Clear, organized, respectful tone? | Persuade through evidence, not emotion. |
| P6. Strategy | Considers the bigger picture? | Chess, not checkers. |
| P7. Ethics and Candor | Citations real, adverse law disclosed, facts accurate? | Honesty toward the court is non-negotiable. |
| P8. Self-Assessment | Can the drafter name their own weaknesses? | Honest mirror, not a cheerleader. |
Key terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Binding authority | A higher court's decision the judge must follow (Court of Appeals, Appellate Division). |
| Adverse authority | The strongest legal argument against your position. You must address it — ignoring it is an ethical violation. |
| Proposed order | A draft of the decision you want the judge to sign, ready for signature. |
| Hallucinated citation | A case reference that does not exist. AI tools frequently invent these. Every citation must be verified. |
What it can't do
LexGrade is not legal advice and can't predict a ruling. It was written for New York State Supreme Court; other courts' rules differ.
Something unclear?
Email contribute@lexgrade.org and say what.