What standard governs Rule 11's inquiry into the factual contentions?

• A. Subjective knowledge
• B. Strict liability
• C. Reasonable inquiry
• D. Probable cause

Answer: (C)

Reasonable inquiry.

Rule 11 requires that when a party signs a pleading, the signer certifies that, to the best of the signer's knowledge after an inquiry reasonable under the circumstances, the factual contentions have evidentiary support or are likely to have such support after discovery, and that the filing is not for an improper purpose. The standard is objective in practice: what a reasonably diligent attorney would investigate given the facts and the stakes, not merely what the signer personally believes without investigation. It isn’t about subjective knowledge, nor about strict liability or probable cause. If the signer's factual contentions lack such support after a reasonable inquiry, sanctions can follow.