LEGAL 205 - Civil Procedure

5.0 Credits
An overview of the civil litigation process in Washington State and the paralegal’s role in assisting with civil litigation matters. Topics include commencement of a civil action, pleadings and motions, parties to a case, discovery of evidence, trials, judgments, and appeals, as well as alternatives to litigation. Emphasis is placed on using the Washington State Court Rules effectively. Students gain experience drafting basic pleadings, motions, and other papers.
Course-level Learning Objectives (CLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Understand the difference between substantive and procedural law and how they interrelate.
Differentiate among the different stages of a civil case, from pre-litigation to appeal.
Locate and apply the Washington State Court Rules and the various county local rules correctly.
Explain the concepts of personal jurisdiction, subject matter jurisdiction, and venue as they relate to the commencement of a civil action.
Describe the different discovery tools available in a civil case, and how sanctions are obtained for failure to comply with a discovery request.
Identify the main types of alternative dispute resolution, and explain how court-mandated arbitration applies to the civil litigation process.
Draft basic pleadings, motions, and other papers in the proper court-approved format.
Demonstrate the skills necessary for a paralegal to work successfully with attorneys and other paralegals on civil litigation matters.