Positional Maneuverability Score (Lex)

The Positional Maneuverability (PM) Score is a composite index from 0 to 100 that quantifies the inherent strength and resilience of a legal position based on the static legal and factual landscape. It is the component of the Legal Maneuverability Framework that measures the potential energy of a case.}}

Conceptual Analogy: Specific Energy (E_s)

In Energy-Maneuverability Theory, an aircraft's Specific Energy ($E_s$) represents its total potential to do work, combining its potential energy (altitude, $h$) and kinetic energy (velocity, $V$). The PM Score models a legal case in the same way:

• Statutory and Precedential Support is analogous to Altitude ($h$). It is the stored, potential energy derived from occupying the "high ground" of established law.
• Factual Alignment is analogous to Velocity ($V$). Strong, verifiable facts are the kinetic force that propels the legal machinery.
• Legal Complexity and Jurisdictional Friction are analogous to Mass ($W$) and Drag ($D$), forces that increase the energy required to change the state of the system.

A high PM Score indicates a case with a strong foundation, capable of withstanding attacks and affording its holder multiple avenues for strategic action.

Equation v1.0

The PM Score is calculated by synthesizing its core components into a single equation, balancing supportive forces against inherent resistances. Failed to parse (syntax error): {\displaystyle \text{PM Score} = \left( \frac{ (\text{S_s} \times W_s) + (\text{P_p} \times W_p) }{ (\text{L_c} \times W_c) + (\text{J_f} \times W_j) } \right) \times \text{F_a} \times K }

Variable Breakdown

The calculation of the PM Score requires the quantification of the following variables, derived from the Corpus Vis Iuris (Lex) data pipeline.

PM Score Variables

Variable	E-M Analogy	Definition	Key Sub-Variables
$S_s$	Thrust (Statutory)	Statutory Support: A measure of how unambiguously the plain text of relevant statutes and regulations supports the position.	Directness of Language, Keyword Saturation, Exception Clause Count, Legislative Intent Score
$P_p$	Thrust (Precedential)	Precedent Power: A weighted measure of the strength, relevance, and binding authority of favorable case law.	Binding Authority Score, Recency Score, Shepardization Score, Factual Similarity Score
$L_c$	Mass/Inertia	Legal Complexity: A measure of the intricacy, novelty, and inherent difficulty of the legal questions at issue.	"First Impression" Flag, Circuit Split Flag
$J_f$	Drag (Environmental)	Jurisdictional Friction: A score representing systemic resistance from the specific court, judge, or jurisdiction.	Judge Reversal Rate, Judge Ideology Score
$F_a$	Velocity	Factual Alignment: A multiplier representing how strongly the available, verifiable evidence supports the legal narrative.	Key Evidence Score, Burden of Proof Factor
$W_x$	N/A	Variable Weights: Tunable constants for each variable, optimized via machine learning against historical outcomes.	N/A
$K$	N/A	Scaling Constant: A normalizer to scale the final output to a 0-100 index.	N/A

Application

The PM Score is used to:

• Assess the baseline viability of a case upon intake.
• Identify structural strengths and weaknesses for strategic planning.
• Inform settlement negotiations by providing an objective measure of case strength.
• Serve as a foundational input for predicting long-term case outcomes.

See Also

• Legal Maneuverability Framework
• Strategic Maneuverability Score (Lex)
• Corpus Vis Iuris (Lex)