South Carolina Legal Assistant
Certification License Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A paralegal’s primary duty when drafting a legal document for an
attorney is to:
A. Provide legal advice to the client
B. Independently represent the client in court
C. Prepare the document under attorney supervision
D. Determine legal strategy for the case
A paralegal works under the direct supervision of an attorney and
must ensure all drafted documents reflect the attorney’s direction
and legal analysis.
2. The South Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct require that a
paralegal must:
A. Charge reasonable fees independently
B. Work under the supervision of a licensed attorney
C. Determine legal fees without attorney input
D. Set case strategy for the attorney
Paralegals are not independently licensed but must always function
under the supervision and authority of an attorney to comply with
professional conduct rules.
,3. Attorney-client confidentiality applies to:
A. Only communications made in writing
B. Only communications with the court
C. All communications between client and legal team
D. Communications only after the retainer agreement
Confidentiality protections extend broadly to all privileged
communications between a client and the attorney’s legal team,
including paralegals.
4. The statute of limitations in a civil action is best defined as:
A. The time allotted to prepare for trial
B. The time a judge has to issue a ruling
C. The deadline to file a lawsuit
D. The time a defendant has to plead
Statutes of limitations set the maximum period in which legal action
can be initiated after an event occurs.
5. When conducting legal research, a competent paralegal should first
consult:
A. Secondary sources only
B. Primary legal authority such as statutes or case law
C. Random internet sites
D. Only attorney notes
Primary sources are authoritative law, including statutes and judicial
opinions, and are the foundation for sound legal research.
6. Service of process is properly defined as:
A. Delivering internal memos
B. Providing the defendant official notice of a lawsuit
C. Filing a lawsuit with the state bar
D. Scheduling a client consultation
, Service notification is required to formally inform a defendant that a
legal action has been initiated against them.
7. A subpoena duces tecum requires:
A. A party to appear in court without documents
B. Only oral testimony
C. Production of documents or evidence
D. Immediate flight restriction
This type of subpoena compels the production of specified evidence
for use in litigation.
8. Which of the following best describes a deposition?
A. Filing a motion to dismiss
B. Sworn out-of-court testimony
C. Verdict announcement
D. Paralegal’s opinion letter
Depositions are sworn testimony taken outside of court during the
discovery process.
9. The burden of proof in a civil case is:
A. Beyond a reasonable doubt
B. Clear and convincing
C. Preponderance of the evidence
D. Absolute certainty
In civil litigation, the plaintiff must show that their claims are more
likely true than not.
10. The concept of “attorney-client privilege” means:
A. Paralegals can disclose client secrets
B. Communications between attorney and client are confidential
C. Only written documents are privileged
D. It applies only after trial
Certification License Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A paralegal’s primary duty when drafting a legal document for an
attorney is to:
A. Provide legal advice to the client
B. Independently represent the client in court
C. Prepare the document under attorney supervision
D. Determine legal strategy for the case
A paralegal works under the direct supervision of an attorney and
must ensure all drafted documents reflect the attorney’s direction
and legal analysis.
2. The South Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct require that a
paralegal must:
A. Charge reasonable fees independently
B. Work under the supervision of a licensed attorney
C. Determine legal fees without attorney input
D. Set case strategy for the attorney
Paralegals are not independently licensed but must always function
under the supervision and authority of an attorney to comply with
professional conduct rules.
,3. Attorney-client confidentiality applies to:
A. Only communications made in writing
B. Only communications with the court
C. All communications between client and legal team
D. Communications only after the retainer agreement
Confidentiality protections extend broadly to all privileged
communications between a client and the attorney’s legal team,
including paralegals.
4. The statute of limitations in a civil action is best defined as:
A. The time allotted to prepare for trial
B. The time a judge has to issue a ruling
C. The deadline to file a lawsuit
D. The time a defendant has to plead
Statutes of limitations set the maximum period in which legal action
can be initiated after an event occurs.
5. When conducting legal research, a competent paralegal should first
consult:
A. Secondary sources only
B. Primary legal authority such as statutes or case law
C. Random internet sites
D. Only attorney notes
Primary sources are authoritative law, including statutes and judicial
opinions, and are the foundation for sound legal research.
6. Service of process is properly defined as:
A. Delivering internal memos
B. Providing the defendant official notice of a lawsuit
C. Filing a lawsuit with the state bar
D. Scheduling a client consultation
, Service notification is required to formally inform a defendant that a
legal action has been initiated against them.
7. A subpoena duces tecum requires:
A. A party to appear in court without documents
B. Only oral testimony
C. Production of documents or evidence
D. Immediate flight restriction
This type of subpoena compels the production of specified evidence
for use in litigation.
8. Which of the following best describes a deposition?
A. Filing a motion to dismiss
B. Sworn out-of-court testimony
C. Verdict announcement
D. Paralegal’s opinion letter
Depositions are sworn testimony taken outside of court during the
discovery process.
9. The burden of proof in a civil case is:
A. Beyond a reasonable doubt
B. Clear and convincing
C. Preponderance of the evidence
D. Absolute certainty
In civil litigation, the plaintiff must show that their claims are more
likely true than not.
10. The concept of “attorney-client privilege” means:
A. Paralegals can disclose client secrets
B. Communications between attorney and client are confidential
C. Only written documents are privileged
D. It applies only after trial
