Which statement about Rule 11 representations is true?

Which statement about Rule 11 representations is true?

• A. Representations can be based on personal belief regardless of facts.
• B. The court does not review representations.
• C. Representations to the court must be supported by law and facts, and not for an improper purpose.
• D. Only the facts matter; law is optional.

Answer: (C)

Rule 11 certification is about responsible litigation: when a party signs a pleading or other paper, they are affirming, after reasonable inquiry, that the factual contentions have evidentiary support and that the legal contentions are warranted by existing law, and that the filing is not being made for an improper purpose. This combination—grounding the contentions in both fact and law and avoiding improper objectives—guards against frivolous or abusive filings. Because of this, the statement that representations to the court must be supported by law and facts and not for an improper purpose is the correct one. The court does review these representations and can impose sanctions for violations, and the rule requires more than mere belief; it requires inquiry and support, including both factual evidence and legal argument.

Rule 11 certification is about responsible litigation: when a party signs a pleading or other paper, they are affirming, after reasonable inquiry, that the factual contentions have evidentiary support and that the legal contentions are warranted by existing law, and that the filing is not being made for an improper purpose. This combination—grounding the contentions in both fact and law and avoiding improper objectives—guards against frivolous or abusive filings. Because of this, the statement that representations to the court must be supported by law and facts and not for an improper purpose is the correct one. The court does review these representations and can impose sanctions for violations, and the rule requires more than mere belief; it requires inquiry and support, including both factual evidence and legal argument.