Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) Exam 2 Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025
1. Which of the following is a primary source of law?
A. Law review article
B. Legal encyclopedia
C. Court decision
D. Legal dictionary
Rationale: Primary sources of law include statutes, court decisions, and
administrative rules. Court decisions represent binding authority.
2. The legal doctrine of "stare decisis" means:
A. A statute must be followed exactly
B. Courts follow precedent
C. A higher court must review all cases
D. Every case is unique and unrelated
Rationale: "Stare decisis" is the principle that courts follow prior decisions
(precedent) to ensure consistency in the law.
,3. What does the abbreviation “et al.” stand for in legal documents?
A. Estimated allotment
B. Ethics and law
C. And others
D. Etched allowance
Rationale: “Et al.” is short for the Latin term "et alii," which means “and others,”
often used in case names.
4. Which court typically has appellate jurisdiction?
A. Small claims court
B. Court of Appeals
C. Probate court
D. Magistrate court
Rationale: Appellate jurisdiction refers to the authority to review decisions of
lower courts, which is a function of appellate courts.
5. What is the function of a summons?
A. To deliver a verdict
B. To collect evidence
C. To notify a defendant of a lawsuit
D. To determine jurisdiction
, Rationale: A summons is a legal document issued to a defendant to inform them
of a lawsuit and compel their appearance.
6. In legal citation, what does “U.S.” refer to?
A. Uniform Statutes
B. United Statute Compilation
C. United States Supreme Court Reports
D. United State Senate
Rationale: “U.S.” in legal citation refers to the United States Reports, which
publishes decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court.
7. Discovery in a civil case is intended to:
A. Exchange evidence between parties
B. Delay the trial date
C. Assign liability
D. Select the jury
Rationale: Discovery is the pre-trial phase where parties obtain evidence from
each other to prepare for trial.
8. A legal assistant may ethically:
A. Represent a client in court
B. Draft pleadings under attorney supervision
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025
1. Which of the following is a primary source of law?
A. Law review article
B. Legal encyclopedia
C. Court decision
D. Legal dictionary
Rationale: Primary sources of law include statutes, court decisions, and
administrative rules. Court decisions represent binding authority.
2. The legal doctrine of "stare decisis" means:
A. A statute must be followed exactly
B. Courts follow precedent
C. A higher court must review all cases
D. Every case is unique and unrelated
Rationale: "Stare decisis" is the principle that courts follow prior decisions
(precedent) to ensure consistency in the law.
,3. What does the abbreviation “et al.” stand for in legal documents?
A. Estimated allotment
B. Ethics and law
C. And others
D. Etched allowance
Rationale: “Et al.” is short for the Latin term "et alii," which means “and others,”
often used in case names.
4. Which court typically has appellate jurisdiction?
A. Small claims court
B. Court of Appeals
C. Probate court
D. Magistrate court
Rationale: Appellate jurisdiction refers to the authority to review decisions of
lower courts, which is a function of appellate courts.
5. What is the function of a summons?
A. To deliver a verdict
B. To collect evidence
C. To notify a defendant of a lawsuit
D. To determine jurisdiction
, Rationale: A summons is a legal document issued to a defendant to inform them
of a lawsuit and compel their appearance.
6. In legal citation, what does “U.S.” refer to?
A. Uniform Statutes
B. United Statute Compilation
C. United States Supreme Court Reports
D. United State Senate
Rationale: “U.S.” in legal citation refers to the United States Reports, which
publishes decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court.
7. Discovery in a civil case is intended to:
A. Exchange evidence between parties
B. Delay the trial date
C. Assign liability
D. Select the jury
Rationale: Discovery is the pre-trial phase where parties obtain evidence from
each other to prepare for trial.
8. A legal assistant may ethically:
A. Represent a client in court
B. Draft pleadings under attorney supervision
