What will happen if the motion for reconsideration is granted?

Asked by: Monserrate Morissette  |  Last update: March 13, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (62 votes)

If a motion for reconsideration is granted, the judge reopens the case to review their prior ruling, potentially issuing a new decision that can modify, reverse, or even vacate the original order, sometimes leading to a new hearing or trial, essentially giving the court a chance to correct errors or consider new facts/law. The original decision is paused, and the case proceeds with the court's further review, allowing for correction of factual mistakes or misapplied law, but it doesn't automatically guarantee a different outcome.

What happens after a motion for reconsideration?

What will the judge do after I file a Motion for Reconsideration? In most cases, the judge must give the other party at least 14 business days to file a written opposition to your Motion. The judge is not required to make a decision within any specific amount of time.

What is the success rate of motions for reconsideration?

There's no single success rate for motions to reconsider, as it varies widely by jurisdiction, court, and case type, but generally, they have a low to moderate chance, often below 20% for appeals (like 10-15% for SSDI) but sometimes higher (25-35%) for specific immigration motions where new evidence addresses the exact denial reason, with success depending heavily on showing clear error, new facts, or changes in law, not just disagreement. 

What is next after a motion for reconsideration?

Appeal Process

If the motion for reconsideration is denied and the party believes there are valid grounds for an appeal, they must file a notice of appeal within the prescribed period, usually 15 days from the notice of denial.

What is the purpose of the motion for reconsideration?

A motion for reconsideration is a request made to a court to review and change its previous decision based on new evidence, changes in law, or errors in the original ruling. This legal mechanism allows parties to seek a second chance if they believe the court's earlier decision was incorrect or unjust.

What's the Difference Between a Motion for Reconsideration and an Appeal?

15 related questions found

What will happen if the motion for reconsideration is denied?

Conclusion. When a motion for new trial or reconsideration under Rule 37 of the Rules of Court is denied, the standard, most straightforward remedy is to appeal the original judgment or final order within the reglementary period. Failure to appeal results in finality of the judgment.

What happens during a reconsideration?

A reconsideration involves a thorough, independent review of all evidence from the initial determination and any new evidence the claimant or another individual submits in connection with the request for reconsideration.

How to win a motion for reconsideration?

You just need to convince the court that new developments, accurate law or a correct view of the facts justify a new ruling. If you think your case has solid grounds that support a Motion for Reconsideration, go ahead – it may help you win the war.

What does it mean motion for reconsideration?

A motion to reconsider either identifies an error in law or fact in a prior Board decision or identifies a change in law that affects a prior Board decision and asks the Board to re-examine its ruling. A motion to reconsider is based on the existing record and does not seek to introduce new facts or evidence.

What is the hardest case to win in court?

The hardest cases to win in court often involve high emotional stakes, complex evidence, or specific defenses like insanity, with sexual assault, crimes against children, and white-collar crimes frequently cited as challenging due to juror bias, weak physical evidence, or technical complexity. The insanity defense is notoriously difficult because it shifts the burden of proof and faces public skepticism. 

Can a judge deny a motion for reconsideration?

A motion for reconsideration may be properly denied if based on unraised facts known to the movant prior to entry of judgment.

What's the success rate of reconsideration?

The initial appeal, or Reconsideration, has a low SSDI appeal approval rate, typically around 13-15%. Most claimants must proceed to the next stage. Your chances of winning a disability appeal improve significantly if you get a hearing before a judge.

How often are motions for reconsideration granted?

Such requests for reconsideration are often filed, but rarely successful unless there clearly has been a change in the law or facts. As for filing an appeal, usually a party has to wait until the end of the case when court issues a final judgment before taking an appeal.

What are common grounds for reconsideration?

Common grounds for reconsideration in legal or administrative matters include newly discovered evidence, clear errors of law or fact, an intervening change in controlling law, or to prevent manifest injustice, but generally not just because a party disagrees with the outcome. It's a request for the original decision-maker to review their ruling due to significant oversights or new developments, rather than an appeal to a higher court. 

What is the difference between reconsideration and appeal?

Reconsideration is the next step if a claim is denied and you need to provide additional information or clarification. Appeal should be used when the reconsideration is unsuccessful or when you need to challenge a denial formally with detailed documentation.

What's next after a motion for reconsideration?

Wait for the Court's Decision:

After considering your Motion for Reconsideration and any responses from the other parties, the court will issue a decision either granting or denying the motion. This decision will be based on the court's assessment of the legal and factual issues raised.

What makes you look better in court?

Dress Neatly and Make Sure Your Clothes Fit

The first rule of thumb for what to wear to court is to dress appropriately by choosing clothing that looks clean, neat, and fits you well. You do not have to buy a new outfit, just be sure that you are meeting those two criteria with what you choose.

How to win a reconsideration?

Table of Contents

  1. #1: File Your Appeal on Time.
  2. #2: Understand Why Your Claim Was Denied.
  3. #3 File the Proper Paperwork.
  4. #4: Submit Your Medical Records.
  5. #5: Write an Appeal Letter.
  6. #6: Hire a Lawyer.

How long is the reconsideration process?

The reconsideration is the second phase in the disability determination process and generally takes between one and three months. If you are denied after submitting your initial disability application and file an appeal within 60-days of receiving your denial letter, the next phase is called the reconsideration phase.

What happens if reconsideration is denied?

Next Steps After a Reconsideration Denial

You must request a hearing within 60 days of receiving that notice. A hearing will allow you to present evidence, witnesses, and arguments to convince an administrative law judge that you qualify for disability benefits.

What is the purpose of a motion for reconsideration?

In Coqui//a, the Supreme Court reiterated that the ultimate purpose of a motion for reconsideration is to convince the court that the ruling being sought to be reconsidered is "erroneous and improper, contrary to the law or the evidence; and in doing so, the movant has to dwell of necessity upon the issues passed upon ...

What happens at a reconsideration hearing?

The most common type of post-trial motion is a Motion for Reconsideration in which you are asking the judge to reconsider his/her ruling and change one specific part of the court order or the court's overall ruling.

What is the reason for motion to reconsider?

Grounds for a motion for reconsideration typically involve showing the judge made a clear error of law or fact, there's new, material evidence that wasn't previously available, or there's been an intervening change in controlling law, all leading to a manifest injustice; simply disagreeing with the ruling or rearguing points is usually not enough. These motions ask the same court to review its decision, different from an appeal to a higher court.