Map the system before you fight the problem
Identify the decision-maker, jurisdiction, document, deadline and legal source before taking action.
Learn
Legal problems become easier when you separate five things: who made the decision, what power they say they are using, which court or agency has jurisdiction, what document controls the next step, and the deadline. Start with the actual notice, charge, contract, order or decision letter—not assumptions about what the system should be.
See it
A police matter, a consumer contract and a government complaint may all feel like “the system”, but each uses different legislation, procedures, review rights and evidence.
Try it
Take one real or hypothetical problem and write five headings: decision-maker, jurisdiction, controlling document, legal source, deadline.
Complete the mission
Create a one-page system map for a legal or administrative problem.