what is rule 11 in the a civl action book by Jonathan Harr

In "A Civil Action" by Jonathan Harr, Rule 11 refers to a provision in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure that addresses the signing of pleadings, motions, and other papers filed with the court. Specifically, Rule 11 requires that attorneys (and unrepresented parties) certify that the documents they submit are not being presented for any improper purpose, such as to harass or cause unnecessary delay, and that the legal claims, defenses, and other legal contentions are warranted by existing law or a non-frivolous argument for changing the law. In the context of the book, which chronicles a high-profile environmental lawsuit, Rule 11 is significant because it underlines the ethical responsibilities of attorneys and the seriousness of their commitments to the court, impacting the strategy and conduct of the legal proceedings. The rule is often discussed when issues of legal strategy, ethics, and the challenges of mounting a civil case arise in the narrative.