PLA 1003 MID-SEMESTER EXAM Questions and
Verified Answers
National Paralegal Associations Correct Answer: NALA, PAOF, NFPA
paralegal Correct Answer: a person with specialized training who assists lawyers.
What can paralegals not do? Correct Answer: Advise clients,
represent clients in court,
and Setting fees.
What can paralegals do? Correct Answer: Do Client interviews, Locate and interview witnesses, conduct
factual investigations, Calendar and track important deadlines, Organize and maintain client files,
conduct legal research, Draft legal documents, File documents with courts, summarize witness
testimony, Coordinate litigation proceedings, attend legal proceedings (only if allowed).
Privileges of a paralegal. Correct Answer: Actual duties depend on size of office, type of law being
practiced, level of experience.
Necessary skills for paralegals? Correct Answer: Technology, Communication, Resourcefulness, Problem
solving, Commitment, Interpersonal, reading, and Self-motivation.
Does a paralegal have to have a lot of experience? Correct Answer: No.
What type of degrees does a paralegal need? Correct Answer: Bachelor's degree or Associates degree in
paralegal.
What exam for a paralegal? Correct Answer: A two-part exam.
Facts can be grouped in 3 categories. Correct Answer: Relevant, Explanatory, and unimportant.
Identifying Legal Issues. Correct Answer: Start with what is your client's problem / question, End with a
specific problem which can be researched, often multiple legal issues arise from simple fact pattern.
Attorney Correct Answer: Sole practitioner
Different type of attorneys. Correct Answer: -Managing partner-Partners-Associates-Law clerks
, Bottom line for paralegals. Correct Answer: In all forms of business, paralegals are staff paid by the hour
or year.
smaller firms Correct Answer: one or two internal employees
larger firms, the more layers and support personnel... Correct Answer: Office manager, Paralegal
manager, Secretaries, receptionists, accountants, librarian, file clerks, IT support, messengers.
client confidentiality Correct Answer: The principle that an institution or individual should not reveal
information about their clients to a third party without the consent of the client or a clear legal reason.
Life cycle of a paralegal. Correct Answer: Opening new files, adding subfiles, storing, accessing, closing,
and destroying.
Paralegal Communication Correct Answer: Keeping the clients updated, confidentiality, Email, voice
mails, etc.
Primary Sources of Law Correct Answer: Constitutions, statutes, treaties, regulations, ordinances, cases,
etc.
Secondary Sources of Law Correct Answer: Encyclopedias, treatises, dictionaries, restatements,
annotations, form books, practice guides, digests, hornbooks, nutshells, journals, newspapers, etc.
Recourses for a paralegal. Correct Answer: Physical library, Online library, or the Internet.
Common Law Correct Answer: A legal system based on custom and court rulings
stare decisis Correct Answer: A Latin phrase meaning "let the decision stand." Most cases reaching
appellate courts are settled on this principle.
Benefits of Stare Decisis Correct Answer: Stability, Predictability, Boundaries, and Court efficiency.
Classifications of Law Correct Answer: Substantive v. procedural, Civil v. criminal, Civil v. common law,
Federal v. state, National v. international.
Criminal Cases Correct Answer: Felonies, Misdemeanors, Pretty offenses, infractions, violations.
Civil cases Correct Answer: Torts, Property (real and personal), Contracts.
International Law Correct Answer: a body of rules established by custom or treaty and recognized by
nations as binding in their relations with one another.
Verified Answers
National Paralegal Associations Correct Answer: NALA, PAOF, NFPA
paralegal Correct Answer: a person with specialized training who assists lawyers.
What can paralegals not do? Correct Answer: Advise clients,
represent clients in court,
and Setting fees.
What can paralegals do? Correct Answer: Do Client interviews, Locate and interview witnesses, conduct
factual investigations, Calendar and track important deadlines, Organize and maintain client files,
conduct legal research, Draft legal documents, File documents with courts, summarize witness
testimony, Coordinate litigation proceedings, attend legal proceedings (only if allowed).
Privileges of a paralegal. Correct Answer: Actual duties depend on size of office, type of law being
practiced, level of experience.
Necessary skills for paralegals? Correct Answer: Technology, Communication, Resourcefulness, Problem
solving, Commitment, Interpersonal, reading, and Self-motivation.
Does a paralegal have to have a lot of experience? Correct Answer: No.
What type of degrees does a paralegal need? Correct Answer: Bachelor's degree or Associates degree in
paralegal.
What exam for a paralegal? Correct Answer: A two-part exam.
Facts can be grouped in 3 categories. Correct Answer: Relevant, Explanatory, and unimportant.
Identifying Legal Issues. Correct Answer: Start with what is your client's problem / question, End with a
specific problem which can be researched, often multiple legal issues arise from simple fact pattern.
Attorney Correct Answer: Sole practitioner
Different type of attorneys. Correct Answer: -Managing partner-Partners-Associates-Law clerks
, Bottom line for paralegals. Correct Answer: In all forms of business, paralegals are staff paid by the hour
or year.
smaller firms Correct Answer: one or two internal employees
larger firms, the more layers and support personnel... Correct Answer: Office manager, Paralegal
manager, Secretaries, receptionists, accountants, librarian, file clerks, IT support, messengers.
client confidentiality Correct Answer: The principle that an institution or individual should not reveal
information about their clients to a third party without the consent of the client or a clear legal reason.
Life cycle of a paralegal. Correct Answer: Opening new files, adding subfiles, storing, accessing, closing,
and destroying.
Paralegal Communication Correct Answer: Keeping the clients updated, confidentiality, Email, voice
mails, etc.
Primary Sources of Law Correct Answer: Constitutions, statutes, treaties, regulations, ordinances, cases,
etc.
Secondary Sources of Law Correct Answer: Encyclopedias, treatises, dictionaries, restatements,
annotations, form books, practice guides, digests, hornbooks, nutshells, journals, newspapers, etc.
Recourses for a paralegal. Correct Answer: Physical library, Online library, or the Internet.
Common Law Correct Answer: A legal system based on custom and court rulings
stare decisis Correct Answer: A Latin phrase meaning "let the decision stand." Most cases reaching
appellate courts are settled on this principle.
Benefits of Stare Decisis Correct Answer: Stability, Predictability, Boundaries, and Court efficiency.
Classifications of Law Correct Answer: Substantive v. procedural, Civil v. criminal, Civil v. common law,
Federal v. state, National v. international.
Criminal Cases Correct Answer: Felonies, Misdemeanors, Pretty offenses, infractions, violations.
Civil cases Correct Answer: Torts, Property (real and personal), Contracts.
International Law Correct Answer: a body of rules established by custom or treaty and recognized by
nations as binding in their relations with one another.
