Legal Definitions - motion for a more definite statement

A motion for a more definite statement is a formal request made to a court by one party in a lawsuit, asking the opposing party to clarify or provide more specific details in a legal document they have filed, such as a complaint or an answer.

This motion is typically filed when a pleading is so vague, ambiguous, or unclear that the requesting party cannot reasonably understand the claims or defenses being made against them, and therefore cannot prepare an adequate response or defense. It's not about asking for evidence, but rather for a clearer articulation of the allegations themselves.

• Example 1: Contract Dispute

  Imagine a software development company sues a client, claiming the client "failed to make required payments for services rendered." The client's lawyer receives the complaint but finds it doesn't specify which contract was breached, what specific services were rendered, or which payments were missed and on what dates. The client's lawyer would file a motion for a more definite statement. This motion asks the court to order the software company to amend its complaint to include these crucial details, as the client cannot properly defend itself against such vague allegations without knowing the specifics of the alleged breach.

• Example 2: Personal Injury Claim

  Consider a person suing a grocery store after slipping and falling. Their complaint states they "suffered severe injuries due to the store's negligence in maintaining its premises." The store's legal team receives this complaint but needs more information. They don't know where in the store the fall occurred, what specific condition (e.g., a spill, a broken tile, poor lighting) allegedly caused the fall, or the exact nature of the severe injuries (e.g., broken leg, concussion, back injury). The store's lawyers would file a motion for a more definite statement to compel the plaintiff to provide these details, which are essential for the store to investigate the incident and formulate a defense.

• Example 3: Employment Discrimination Lawsuit

  Suppose a former employee sues their previous employer, alleging they were "wrongfully terminated due to discriminatory practices." The employer's legal counsel reviews the complaint but finds it lacks specifics regarding the alleged discrimination. It doesn't state what protected characteristic (e.g., age, gender, race, religion) was the basis for the discrimination, nor does it describe any specific discriminatory actions or statements made by the employer. The employer's lawyers would file a motion for a more definite statement. This would require the former employee to clarify the specific grounds for their discrimination claim, enabling the employer to understand the allegations and prepare an appropriate legal response.