LGAP 1100: Litigation Procedures 1
Effective date
September 2013
Department
BC Campus - Office & Legal Adm
School
Hospitality, Food Studies and Applied Business
Description
This course introduces the student to the functions and duties of a legal administrative assistant working in civil litigation in BC. Subjects covered include terminology and rules relating to preparing and handling legal correspondence and documents in civil litigation actions and matters in the Supreme Court of BC. It also introduces students to the legal concepts necessary to a basic understanding of the function of the courts and professional environment that they are entering. This is primarily a hands-on course in which students integrate keyboard, computer, transcription and document formatting with a knowledge of civil law. This course deals with documents and procedures from the initiation of a lawsuit through to the completion of pleadings and the possibility of obtaining default judgment. Preparation for trial, interlocutory applications and procedures after trial are covered in Litigation Procedures 2.
This course is part of the Legal Administrative Assistant (Online)Program.
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Prepare documentation for a civil action in the Supreme Court of BC from commencement until the close of pleadings
- Prepare the documentation necessary to obtain default judgment
- Understand basic legal concepts which underpin the court system in BC and affect the daily work of a civil litigation law office
- Understand the environment of a law office and respond to some of the possible challenges in such an office including dealing with people in a law office, possible ethical challenges, and maintaining an appropriate professional appearance and demeanor
- Use transcription skills and theory in preparing litigation documents
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 60
Total Hours: 60
Instructional Strategies
Assigned readings, research and reinforcement activities assigned by your instructor are your principal learning activities. It is expected that you will communicate online regularly with your instructor and classmates using the course email, discussion, and chat utilities.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Evaluation Plan
Type
|
Percentage
|
Assessment activity
|
Other
|
50
|
Production tests - document production (5 documents)
|
Midterm Exam
|
20
|
Midterm Exam
|
Final Exam
|
20
|
Final Exam
|
Participation
|
10
|
including discussion items and individual activities
|
Course topics
- Overview and objectives
- Civil litigation defined
- Precedent and court authority
- Client's first appointment
- Notice of Civil Claim - review and practical concerns
- Service - personal and ordinary
- Opening the defendant's file
- Pleadings continued
- Amended Pleadings and Affidavits
- Default Judgment
- Case planning
- Overview
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/.
- To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.