MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

PAR114  2009 Fall – 2009 Fall

Paralegal Litigation

1.          Define discovery and explain its purposes. (I)

2.          Review the sequence of discovery. (I)

3.          Prepare discovery documents. (I)

4.          Describe the electronic discovery process. (I)

5.          Explain issues in electronic discovery. (I)

6.          Identify types of depositions. (II)

7.          Describe deposition preparation procedures. (II)

8.          Describe the purpose of a pretrial brief. (III)

9.          Explain procedures for preparing clients and witnesses for trial. (III)

10.        Prepare exhibits for trial presentation. (III)

11.        Differentiate between various phases of a trial. (III)

12.        Describe early trial proceedings. (III)

13.        Explain the responsibilities of the paralegal in the evidentiary phase of trial. (III)

14.        Describe the electronic courtroom and its use. (IV).

15.        Examine post-trial procedures. (V)

16.        Explain the appeal process. (V)

17.        Describe the procedures for collecting and enforcing judgments. (VI)

18.        Review statutory limitations on collection efforts. (VI)

19.        Differentiate between criminal and civil litigation procedures for the paralegal. (I-VI)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

PAR114  2009 Fall – 2009 Fall

Paralegal Litigation

I.          Discovery

            A.        Definition

            B.        Purposes

                        1.         Case Evaluation

                        2.         Trial Preparation

                        3.         Oral Testimony Preservation

                        4.         Settlement Facilitation

            C.        Rules of Court/Rules of Evidence

            D.        Types

                        1.         Depositions

                        2.         Interrogatories

                        3.         Production of Documents or Things

                        4.         Physical and Mental Examination

                        5.         Requests for Admission         

            E.         Limitation Pursuant to Civil Rules

            F.         Sequence

                        1.         Discovery Timing

                        2.         Disclosure Requirements

                        3.         Information Subject to Mandatory Disclosure

                        4.         Experts and Witnesses

                        5.         Exhibits

            G.        Electronic

                        1.         Issues

                        2.         Cost

                        3.         Process

                        4.         Resources

                        5.         Software Solutions

II.        Depositions

            A.        Types

                        1.         Before Filing a Complaint

                        2.         Upon Written Questions

                        3.         Oral Examination

                        4.         Videotape

                        5.         Dues Tecum

            B.        Uses

                        1.         Witness Version

                        2.         Preserving Testimony

                        3.         Impeachment

            C.        Preparation

                        1.         Scheduling

                        2.         Notice and Subpoena

                        3.         Client/Witness Instructions

                        4.         Opposing Party

III.       Trial

            A.        Pretrial

                        1.         Memorandum

                        2.         Brief

                        3.         Conference

            B.        Preparation

                        1.         Witness

                        2.         Client

                        3.         Exhibit

            C.        Phases

                        1.         Evidentiary

                        2.         Non-evidentiary

            D.        Paralegal Responsibilities

IV.       Electronic Courtroom

            A.        Definition

            B.        Use

                        1.         Presentation

                        2.         Graphics

            C.        Limitations

            D.        Equipment

            E.         Staff

V.        Post-Trial Procedures

            A.        Entering Judgment

            B.        Relief

                        1.         Evidentiary

                        2.         Instructions to Jury

                        3.         Unsupported Verdict

                        4.         Harmless Error

            C.        Motions

            D.        Appeals

                        1.         Types

                        2.         Procedures

VI.       Judgments

            A.        Definition

            B.        Terminology

            C.        Timing

            D.        Collection

                        1.         Non-Adversarial

                        2.         Adversarial

            E.         Enforceability

            F.         Limitations

                        1.         Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

                        2.         Bankruptcy

            G.        Satisfaction