Jay-Z’s legal approach is changing.

On Monday, Alex Spiro, the lawyer representing the famous rapper, submitted a pre-motion letter contending that a new lawsuit which accuses Jay-Z of raping a minor in 2000 should not proceed because the incident is considered too old.

The complaint, which was filed by Jane Doe against the fallen music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs in October and subsequently amended to include Jay-Z, invokes the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act (GMV). However, Spiro argues that this law is not retroactive, meaning it cannot apply to events that occurred before its enactment. The law was passed in December 2000, and since the alleged assault purportedly occurred three months earlier in September, allowing the case to continue would breach both state and federal due process rights, according to Spiro’s letter.

Moreover, Spiro contends that the use of the Child Victims Act (CVA) is improper, as the alleged incident falls outside both the initial filing window and the subsequent revival periods established by the law.

In addition to the statute of limitations argument, Spiro claims that the GMV stipulates the assault must have occurred within New York City. Referring to details in Jane Doe’s complaint — specifically that she was driven for 20 minutes from Radio City Music Hall to a property with a U-shaped driveway — he insists the incident could not have happened within the city’s five boroughs.

Spiro’s claims are part of ongoing efforts by Jay-Z’s legal representatives to have the case dismissed. The rapper, who faces allegations of having committed the assault in conjunction with Diddy, has strongly refuted the claims and has encouraged the accuser to reveal her identity.

“My wife and I will have to explain this to our children, one of whom is at an age where her friends will undoubtedly hear about this and ask questions regarding the nature of these allegations, and we will have to discuss the cruelty and greed inherent in people,” the rapper stated previously.

On Thursday, a judge ruled that the Alabama woman may remain unnamed. She has communicated with the media without disclosing her identity, admitting that there have been inconsistencies in her account while still maintaining her accusation.

Jay-Z has also criticized her attorney, Tony Buzbee, who represents multiple women suing Diddy. “I am perplexed as to how you have become such a terrible person, Mr. Buzbee,” the “Empire State of Mind” rapper stated in a previous declaration, “but I assure you, I have encountered people like you before.”

In his complaints, Jay-Z accuses Buzbee of inadequately investigating Jane Doe’s claims and coercing clients into filing lawsuits. Buzbee has rejected these allegations, leading to a separate legal dispute between the parties.