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National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

National Paralegal College | Evaluated Learning Experience

Advanced Civil Litigation (PLG-402)

Length: 

Varies; self-study format.

Location: 
Various, distance learning format.
Dates: 
November 2009 - Present.
Instructional delivery format: 
Online/distance learning
Learner Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: describe the court systems as they exist on the federal level and in most states; determine possible paralegal tasks should be billed as "legal work" to clients; prepare for and conduct an initial client interview in a civil litigation process; determine possible types of evidence will be admissible at trial and properly preserve that evidence; help plan an investigation into an incident relevant to civil litigation; draft pleadings (i.e., complaint and answer) that are filed at the outset of a civil case; file a complaint and arrange to have it properly served on the defendant; determine the manner in which to obtain a default judgment in the student's jurisdiction; draft a motion for relief from a court during a civil litigation proceeding; help assemble a discovery plan for investigating relevant information using appropriate discovery devices; draft interrogatories and requests for production and notices of deposition; create digests of depositions and other discovery responses and extract relevant information; describe the main methods of alternative dispute resolution; assist with jury investigation and selection; help attorneys throughout the trial process by keeping a trial notebook, tending to witness needs, etc; prepare a judgment, bill of costs, and other important post-trial documents; and assist with the preparation of appellate briefs, including the preparation of a table of authorities, statement of issue, etc.

Instruction: 

This course is designed specifically to prepare students to handle all aspects of a civil case and examines the trial process from start to finish and looks at the paralegal's role and the rules that paralegals must follow to fulfill that role. Additionally, the course explores all of the steps in a civil case, commencing with the initial client interview and following the civil litigation process through the initial investigation, drafting, and filing of the complaint, the discovery process, trial preparation, and assistance during the trial. The course concludes with an examination of the paralegal's role in the appeals process. Special emphasis is placed on pleadings and motions and preparing and filing discovery requests and responses. Evaluation criteria include: required readings, essay assignments, class participation, and final exam.

Credit recommendation: 

In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Civil Litigation or Business Law (1/13) (3/18 revalidation) (5/23 revalidation). 

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