In this paper we focus on pied-piping, a phenomenon that undermines the standard probe-goal theory of movement. Specifically, we argue that several constraints that must be stipulated under the standard bottom-to-top theory follow from a top-down redefinition of Merge, Move and Phase domain. Two universal constraints will be specifically addressed (“Don’t Leave Your Complement alone” – Don’t-LYC and “Be Accessible” - BA constraints) and derived together with their (apparent) exceptions. The empirical evidence considered includes alternation between preposition stranding and pied-piping, recursive genitive pied-piping and the Was-für split.