LEGAL 205 - Civil Procedure

5.0 Credits
This course provides an overview of the civil litigation process in Washington State and the paralegal’s role in supporting civil litigation matters. Topics covered include the initiation of a civil action, pleadings and motions, parties involved in a case, evidence discovery, trials, judgments, appeals, and alternatives to litigation. The effective use of Washington State Court Rules is emphasized, with students gaining practical experience drafting basic pleadings, motions, and other legal documents. No prior legal training or experience is required to take this course.
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 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 to work successfully with attorneys and other paralegals on civil litigation matters.

Course Typically Offered
Full Year