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Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Spring/Summer 2012
Prerequisites:
(APPL17545)
Corequisites:
N/A
Equivalents:
N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A |
Course
Name (short): Software Applications
School: All Sheridan Schools
Program(s):
Paralegal
Program Coordinator(s):
Netta Romano
Course Leader or Contact: Patricia Knight
Originator: Cheryl-Anne Shirley
Designate: Cheryl-Anne Shirley
Version: 8.0
Status: Approved (APPR)
Calendar Description
Students use legal software to draft pleadings, motions and other
legal documents. Students learn the principles of legal file set-up,
and apply them to organize, store and retrieve legal documents.
Students are introduced to tickler systems and dockets.
Typical Instructional Format
Lab
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42.0 |
| Total hours: |
42.0 |
Courses may be offered in other formats.
Section I Notes:
N/A
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Detailed Description
Students assess client fact situations, develop a theory of the
client's case, and select allegations which support that theory.
Students then use legal software to draft pleadings, motions and
other legal documents. Students learn the principles of legal file
set-up, and apply them to organize, store and retrieve legal
documents. Students also learn to use tickler systems and dockets.
The focus is on hand's-on activities, with in-class demonstrations
followed by immediate student applications.
Program Context
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| Paralegal |
Program Coordinator: Netta Romano |
In this required course in
the Paralegal program,
students further develop the
skills acquired in previous
computer and civil advocacy
courses. This course
prepares students for
advanced civil advocacy
courses, and for advocacy in
the workplace.
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Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
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Critical Performance
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the
ability to draft pleadings, motions and other documents that meet
professional standards.
Learning Outcomes
To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated
the ability to:
1. Produce work (including legal documents) that accurately
follows instructions and the Rules of Small Claims Court.
2. Adapt precedent legal documents to produce other
legal documents.
3. Create client files using legal software.
4. Evaluate a client fact situation.
5. Develop a theory of the client's case.
6. Select allegations from the client fact situation that
support the theory of the case.
7. Draft persuasive pleadings and other documents.
8. Organize and manage a legal file.
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Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:
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Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:
Assignment #1 Motion, supporting affidavit, service 20%
Assignment #2 Defence and defendant's claim 25%
Assignment #3 Plaintiff's claim and service 25%
Assignment #4 Legal file set-up 30%
______
Total 100%
Academic Procedure
The following practices are agreed to by the professors and will
apply to all courses in Paralegal.
1. For assignments and projects, the professor will specify in
writing due dates and special instructions at the beginning of
the semester.
2. Students must complete every assignment as an individual effort
unless the professor specifies otherwise.
3. Students must write all tests at the scheduled time. A make-up
test may be provided for students who provide an acceptable
explanation of their absence and/or acceptable documentation
explaining their absence (for example, a medical certificate).
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Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities requirements:
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Essential Employability
Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:
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X
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Communication
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X
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Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
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Interpersonal
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X
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Numeracy |
X
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Information
Management |
X
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Personal
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Notes: N/A
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact: Patricia Knight
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement
of the course learning outcomes through previous life and work experiences.
This course is eligible for challenge through the following
method(s):
| Challenge Exam |
Portfolio |
Interview |
Other |
Not Eligible for PLAR |
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X |
X |
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Notes: N/A
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Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Effective term: Spring/Summer 2012
Professor: Patricia Knight
Textbook(s): Instructor Handouts
Knight, Small Claims Court: Procedure and Practice
Students will also require the Small Claims Court Rules
Applicable student group(s): Paralegal Students
Course Details:Week 1
Targeted learning outcomes: 1, 3
Introduction
Course outline
Installing software
Review - Small Claims Court procedure
What a motion is used for
Notice of motion
Supporting affidavit
Proof of service
Week 2
Targeted learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4, 5
Small Claims motions continued
In-class exercise - Draft a precedent motion and supporting affidavit
Hand out Assignment #1 (20%)
Week 3
Targeted learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 7
Draft a motion and supporting affidavit
Week 4
Draft a motion and supporting affidavit
Assignment #1 DUE
Week 5
Targeted learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Rules for drafting a defence
Admissions
Denials
No knowledges
Developing a theory of the defence
Rules for drafting a defendant's claim
Prayer for relief
Developing a theory of the defendant's claim
Disclosure
Hand out Assignment #2 (25%) Defence and defendant's claim
Week 6
Draft a defence and defendant's claim
Week 7
Draft a defence and defendant's claim
Assignment #2 DUE
BREAK
Week 8
Targeted learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Review - Small Claims Court actions
In-class exercise - Draft a precedent plaintiff's claim and affidavit
of service
Proper formatting
The prayer for relief
Review fact situation
What is relevant?
Develop a theory of the case
Support it with allegations
Telling the client's story
Service of the claim
Hand out Assignment #3 (25%) Plaintiff's claim and service
Week 9
Targeted learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 7
Draft a plaintiff's claim and service
Week 10
Targeted learning outcomes: 1 to 8
Assignment #3 DUE
Review -- Motion and supporting affidavit
Use of documentary evidence on a motion
Legal file set-up
Case file and subfiles
File information sheet
Checklist/tickler
Dockets
Exhibits
Hand out Assignment #4 (30%) Legal file set-up
Week 11
Targeted learning outcomes: 1 to 8
Legal file management
Week 12
Legal file management
Week 13
Legal file management
Assignment #4 DUE
Week 14
Review
Academic Honesty
The principle of academic honesty requires that all work submitted for evaluation and course credit be the original,
unassisted work of the student. Cheating or plagiarism including borrowing, copying, purchasing or collaborating on
work, except for group projects arranged and approved by the faculty member, or otherwise submitting work that is not
the student's own violates this principle and will not be tolerated. Instances of academic dishonesty, including
assisting another student to cheat, will be penalized as detailed in the Student Handbook.
Students who have any questions regarding whether or not specific circumstances involve a breach of academic
honesty are advised to discuss them with the faculty member prior to submitting the assignment in question.
Discrimination and Harassment
Sheridan is committed to provide a learning environment that respects the dignity, self esteem and fair treatment
of every person engaged in the learning process. Behaviour which is inconsistent with this principle will
not be tolerated. Details of Sheridan's policy on Harassment and Discrimination are available in the Student Handbook.
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