ga-draft-motion · diff
v0.1.0 to v0.1.0
155 added, 27 removed. Audit A to A.
---
name: ga-draft-motion
description: >
- Scaffold a motion + supporting memorandum for a Georgia court. Applies the pro-se drafting framework adapted to Georgia.
+ This skill should be used to scaffold a Georgia civil motion with
+ its supporting brief. Triggers include "draft a Georgia motion",
+ "write a motion to dismiss Georgia", "draft a Georgia motion to
+ compel", "draft a motion for summary judgment Georgia", "draft a
+ motion to set aside default Georgia", "draft a motion under O.C.G.A.
+ § 9-11-56". Produces a motion plus supporting brief in the Georgia
+ format, applying the pro-se drafting framework (clear relief, cite
+ the rule or statute, state supporting facts, conclude with the
+ signature block and required certificate of service). Composes with
+ `ga-statewide-format` for the format baseline, `ga-draft-declaration`
+ for sworn facts, `ga-draft-order` for the proposed order, and the
+ relevant venue and subject-matter skills.
version: 0.1.0
---
# Draft a Georgia Motion
- > **TODO**: Author substantive content. This is a scaffolded
- > stub. Research the Georgia analog from authoritative sources
- > before writing — do not search-and-replace from another
- > state plugin.
-
> **NOT LEGAL ADVICE.** This skill scaffolds a court document
> as a drafting aid. The user — not the skill — chooses the
> motion type, theory of relief, and strategy. Verify every
> rule, deadline, and citation against current law before
> filing. Pair with substantive review by counsel where stakes
> warrant.
- ## State context
+ Use this skill to produce a motion plus supporting brief in Georgia
+ format. Georgia motion practice is governed by the Civil Practice Act
+ (O.C.G.A. Title 9, Ch. 11), the rule under which the motion is filed
+ (e.g., O.C.G.A. § 9-11-12(b)(6), § 9-11-56, § 9-11-37(a),
+ § 9-11-55(b)), and the Uniform Superior Court Rules (USCR 6 governs
+ motion practice; the parallel Uniform State Court Rules apply in State
+ Court).
- - **State**: Georgia
- - **Format rule**: O.C.G.A. § 9-11-10 + Uniform Superior Court Rules
- - **Civil rules**: Georgia Civil Practice Act (O.C.G.A. Title 9, Ch. 11)
- - **Evidence rules**: Georgia Evidence Code (O.C.G.A. Title 24)
- - **Style manual**: Georgia appellate citation (Bluebook-based)
+ ## Motion timing under USCR 6
- ## What to author
+ | Event | Timing |
+ |---|---|
+ | Response to a motion | 30 days after service (USCR 6.2) |
+ | Request for oral hearing | Within the response period; must be requested or it may be waived (USCR 6.3) |
+ | Summary-judgment motion | Served at least 30 days before the hearing (O.C.G.A. § 9-11-56(c)) |
- 1. Description: replace the placeholder with realistic trigger
- phrases for how a Georgia pro se filer would ask about this
- 2. Body: substantive content matching the role
- 3. Composition notes: which other ga- skills this layers
- with
- 4. References: the supporting `references/*.md` files
+ When a hearing is sought, prepare a **Rule Nisi / Notice of Hearing**
+ under USCR 6.3 (see `ga-draft-note`) for the judge to set the date.
- ## References to author
+ ## Standard motion structure
- - Research the Georgia analog from authoritative sources
- before authoring; do NOT search-and-replace from another
- state plugin
+ ```
+ [Caption — see ga-statewide-format,
+ per O.C.G.A. § 9-11-10(a): court, county,
+ title of action, file number, designation]
- ## Cross-references
+ [DOCUMENT TITLE IN ALL CAPS, e.g.,
+ DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO DISMISS UNDER O.C.G.A. § 9-11-12(b)(6)]
- - `ga-statewide-format` for format baseline
- - `ga-fulton` / `ga-cobb` / `ga-county-courts` for venue
- - `ga-pro-se` for pro se conventions
+ COMES NOW [Movant], the [Plaintiff / Defendant] in the above-styled
+ action, [appearing pro se / by and through undersigned counsel], and
+ respectfully moves this Court for [specific relief], and in support
+ shows the Court as follows:
+
+ I. INTRODUCTION
+
+ [1-2 paragraph summary of the case, the relief sought, and the
+ grounds in headline form.]
+
+ II. STATEMENT OF FACTS
+
+ [Numbered factual paragraphs, each stating a single material fact
+ with a citation to the record — Affidavit ¶ X, Complaint ¶ X,
+ Exhibit X, or an admission in the pleadings.]
+
+ III. ARGUMENT AND CITATION OF AUTHORITY
+
+ A. [Headline of first argument]
+
+ [Lead with the rule or statute; state the controlling standard;
+ apply it to the facts; cite Georgia authority — Supreme Court of
+ Georgia and Court of Appeals of Georgia decisions.]
+
+ B. [Headline of second argument]
+
+ [...]
+
+ IV. CONCLUSION (PRAYER FOR RELIEF)
+
+ WHEREFORE, [Movant] respectfully prays that this Court [grant the
+ motion / grant the relief sought] and enter the attached proposed
+ Order.
+
+ Respectfully submitted, this ___ day of __________, 20__.
+
+ _____________________________
+ [Name]
+ [Address]
+ [City, GA ZIP]
+ [Phone]
+ [Email]
+ Pro Se
+ [OR: Georgia Bar No. ______,
+ Attorney for ____ —
+ O.C.G.A. § 9-11-11]
+
+ CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
+ [Date, method, recipients — per O.C.G.A. § 9-11-5 and
+ ga-statewide-format]
+ ```
+
+ ## Signature and certificate requirements
+
+ - **Signature** — every motion must be signed (O.C.G.A. § 9-11-11). A
+ pro se filer signs and adds name, address, phone, and email with the
+ designation **Pro Se**. An attorney adds the **Georgia Bar No.**
+ - **Certificate of service** — subsequent papers are served and the
+ service certified under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-5; place the certificate of
+ service at the foot of the motion.
+ - **Rule Nisi / Notice of Hearing** — when a hearing is sought, attach
+ or file the scheduling document under USCR 6.3 (see `ga-draft-note`).
+ - **Format defaults** — line numbering down the left margin and a
+ footer "Page X of Y" are marketplace format defaults applied through
+ `ga-statewide-format`.
+
+ ## Common motion types
+
+ | Motion | Authority | Notes |
+ |---|---|---|
+ | Motion to Dismiss | O.C.G.A. § 9-11-12(b)(6) | Failure to state a claim |
+ | Motion for Summary Judgment | O.C.G.A. § 9-11-56 | Served at least 30 days before hearing; *Lau's Corp. v. Haskins*, 261 Ga. 491 (1991) (movant may point to absence of evidence) |
+ | Motion to Compel | O.C.G.A. § 9-11-37(a) | Attach the deficient responses |
+ | Motion to Set Aside Default | O.C.G.A. § 9-11-55(b) | Open as of right within 15 days plus costs under § 9-11-55(a); otherwise providential/excusable/proper case + four conditions |
+ | Motion for Protective Order | O.C.G.A. § 9-11-26(c) | Discovery-shielding |
+ | Motion to Amend | O.C.G.A. § 9-11-15 | As of right before entry of the pretrial order |
+
+ ## Argument structure — the pro-se drafting framework
+
+ 1. **State the relief clearly** in the opening sentence.
+ 2. **Cite the rule or statute** that grants the court power to award it.
+ 3. **State the facts** that satisfy each element of the standard.
+ 4. **Apply controlling Georgia case law** to those facts.
+ 5. **Conclude** with the specific order sought.
+
+ A motion that hides the relief, buries the statute citation, or omits
+ a clear element-by-element factual showing is the kind of filing the
+ court will struggle to engage with.
+
+ ## Filing checklist
+
+ - [ ] Caption matches the assigned court and county (O.C.G.A. § 9-11-10(a))
+ - [ ] Title in ALL CAPS centered between caption and body
+ - [ ] All cited rules and statutes correct (run `ga-fact-check`)
+ - [ ] Affirmative defenses and counter-arguments addressed
+ - [ ] Signature block complete (Pro Se / Georgia Bar No.)
+ - [ ] Certificate of Service complete (O.C.G.A. § 9-11-5)
+ - [ ] Rule Nisi / Notice of Hearing prepared if a hearing is sought
+ - [ ] Proposed Order drafted as a **separate** document (`ga-draft-order`)
+ - [ ] Supporting Affidavit(s) drafted (`ga-draft-declaration`)
+ - [ ] Format check passes (`scripts/format-check.py`)
+
+ ## Composition
+
+ - For format: `ga-statewide-format`
+ - For the supporting affidavit/declaration: `ga-draft-declaration`
+ - For the proposed order: `ga-draft-order`
+ - For setting the hearing: `ga-schedule-hearing`, `ga-draft-note`
+ - For the venue overlay: `ga-fulton`, `ga-cobb`, `ga-gwinnett`,
+ `ga-state-court`, `ga-magistrate`, `ga-county-courts`,
+ `ga-family-court`
+ - For subject matter: `ga-consumer-debt`, `ga-family-law`
+ - For pre-filing QC: `ga-quality-check`, `ga-fact-check`
+ - For deadline math: `ga-deadlines`
+ - For pro se conventions: `ga-pro-se`
+
+ ## References
+
+ - `references/motion-template.md` — annotated template
+ - `references/uscr-6-motion-practice.md` — USCR 6 motion-practice notes
+ - `references/argument-structure.md` — pro-se drafting framework applied