Litigation Procedures I

Curriculum Guideline

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Course
OADM 1432
Discontinued
Yes
Course Code
OADM 1432
Descriptive
Litigation Procedures I
Department
Office Administration
Faculty
Commerce & Business Administration
Credits
1.50
Start Date
End Term
202010
PLAR
Yes
Semester Length
7½ weeks X 8 hours/week = 60 hours/semester
Max Class Size
24
Contact Hours
Lecture: 4 hours per week / 30 hours per semester Lab: 4 hours per week / 30 hour per semester
Method(s) Of Instruction
Online
Learning Activities

Communication between instructor and students will be conducted online using WebCT e-mail, discussion, chat utilities, guided practices, assignments, and case studies.  Students will work both independently and collaboratively to learn and apply procedures and tasks carried on in a legal office.  Both learning activities and evaluations will be structured to stress problem solving, accuracy, and working within time constraints.

Course Description
This is a BCCampus online provincial course. This online course introduces the student to the role and responsibilities of the Legal Administrative Assistant employed in the field of civil litigation in British Columbia. Students will gain knowledge of the first part of handling a civil litigation file, from opening a new client file to Default Judgment. The continuation of the second part of handling a civil litigation file will be covered in OADM 1433 Litigation Procedures II. The student will have practical experience in topics such as commencing or defending a civil process, preparing and filing pleadings, and obtaining default judgment. This is a “hands-on” course in which the students integrate keyboard, computer, transcription and document formatting with knowledge of civil law.
Course Content
  1. Overview and objectives
    • Character traits of a legal administrative assistant
  2. Civil litigation defined
    • Constitutional roots of courts
    • Statute and common law
    • The court system
  3. Precedent and court authority
    • Duties of a legal administrative assistant
    • Some rules re: capitalization–names of judges
    • Limitation period
  4. Client’s first appointment
    • Dealing with emotionality
    • Opening files
    • BF systems
  5. Notice of Civil Claim - review and practical concerns
    • Identifying parties–individuals and companies
    • Parties with legal disabilities
  6. Service - personal and ordinary
    • Within BC
    • Outside BC
    • A note of jurisdiction
  7. Opening the defendant’s file
    • Admitting service
    • Limitation periods revisited
    • Appearances
    • Transmittal letters
  8. Pleadings continued
    • Counterclaims and third party notices
  9. Amended Pleadings and Affidavits
  10. Default Judgment
  11. Case planning
  12. Overview
Learning Outcomes

The learner has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Prepare documentation for a civil action in the Supreme Court of BC from commencement until the close of pleadings.
  2. Prepare the documentation necessary to obtain default judgment.
  3. Understand basic legal concepts, which underpin the court system in BC and affect the daily work of a civil litigation law office.
  4. 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 demeanour.
  5. Utilize transcription skills and theory in preparing litigation documents.
Means of Assessment
Production-document production   50%
Mid-term exam  20%
Final exam  20%
Participation  10%
Total 100%
Textbook Materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:

 

Course material as determined by BCCampus.

 

. WAV pedal & computer headphones are required for digital transcription activities.

Prerequisites

(OADM 1430 or equivalent) and (OADM 1431 or equivalent)