Course Duration: 28 weeks

OBJECTIVES:
After successfully completing the tests and assignments for this course, you will know:

• the origins and history of the English legal system
• the nature, classification and sources of law
• the administration of law (modern legal system)
• a basic understanding of procedure and evidence
• personality, status and capacity
• a basic understanding of public law
• a basic understanding of criminal law
• basic understanding of the law of torts
• basic understanding of trust law
• basic understanding of family law
• comprehensive review of Cayman Islands Company Law
• comprehensive understanding of the principles of company law
• the meaning and application of important legal terminology
• attorney and paralegal ethics
• techniques of jury selection and the jury selection process
• how to prepare legal documents including demand letters, pleadings, discovery
• documents, motions and memos
• significant elements of the substantive law of torts, contracts
• the important rules of civil procedure and evidence
• how to conduct to draft an affidavit
• how to conduct legal investigation
• how to conduct legal analysis and perform legal problem solving
• the importance of precedence/stare decisis
• what legal authority is, and which authority is the most important
• how to conduct legal research and learn how to use the 4 most effective legal
• research tools found in virtually every law library
• how to properly cite your authority
• how to conduct computerized legal research
• proper and effective legal writing style
• the basic documents for several important substantive areas of law
• advocacy techniques for usage in formal or informal settings, and
• how to begin your job search and perhaps begin a freelance paralegal business after your education

EXPECTATIONS
This is an accelerated course. You will be expected to spend an average of 12 hours per week reading and completing writing assignments.

70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for this course. Students may consider working ahead in the curriculum if they have the time.

The entire program runs 28 weeks.

TEXTS: The following texts are available to order from The Center for Legal Studies. Some of the texts may be available in libraries, but most students prefer to own these texts because they are great references even after the course has ended.

The following texts are required:
Dignam, Alan & John Lowry. Company Law: Core Texts. Oxford: University Press, 5th Edition, 2009.

Hatch, Scott A. and Lisa Zimmer Hatch. Paralegal Career for Dummies Hoboken: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2006.

P. Shears & G. Stephenson. James’ Introduction to English Law: Oxford: University Press, 12th Edition, 2006

The following text is recommended but not required:
Garner, Bryan A., Black's Law Dictionary, 3rd Pocket Edition. Minneapolis/St. Paul: West Publishing Company 2006.

We also recommend that you print/review the Grand Court Rules:
Check online under course materials

READING ASSIGNMENTS
Please read from your texts each week according to the following guidelines:

Weeks One and Two:
Company Law, Corporate Personality, Limited Liability, Lifting the Veil, Promoters and pre-incorporation contracts.
Read Chapters Companies Law (2007) Revision and answer assigned questions
Read Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 and answer end of chapter questions
Become more familiar with Partnership Law and Exempted Partnership Law
Post to weekly discussion board

Weeks Three and Four:
Raising Capital, Understanding Share Capital
Read Chapter 5 -7of Company Law textbook
Answer end of chapter questions on pages 83, 108 and 136.
Read Chapters 8 and review sample Memorandum and Articles of Association and do end of chapter questions on page 158.
Post to weekly discussion board

Weeks Five and Six:
Corporate Management & Director’s Duties
Read Chapters 13 & 14
Answer end of chapter questions on pgs. 296 and 354
Post to weekly discussion board

Week Seven:
Nature and Administration of Law
Read Chapters 1 & 2 of Introduction to English Law
Complete online assignment
Post to discussion Board

Weeks Eight and Nine:
Procedure and Evidence, Legal Personality, Status & Capacity
Read Chapters 3 & 4 of Introduction
Complete online assignment for each week
Post to discussion Board

Weeks Ten and Eleven:
Criminal Law and Public Law
Read Chapters 6 and 7
Complete online assignments for each week
Post to discussion Board

Week Twelve
Law of Contract
Read Chapter 8 & 9
Complete online assignments
Post to discussion board

Week Thirteen:
Law of Torts
Read Chapter 10
Complete online assignments for each week
Post to discussion board

Weeks Fourteen & Fifteen:
Law of Property
Read Chapter 11
Complete online assignments for each week
Post to discussion board

Week Sixteen:
Trusts
Read Chapter 12
Complete online questions
Post to discussion board
Discuss trust development in the Cayman Islands

Weeks Seventeen:
Family Law
Read Chapter 13
Complete weekly questions
Post to discussion board

Week Eighteen:
Succession
Read Chapter 14
Complete weekly questions
Post to discussion board

Week Nineteen:
PARALEGAL FOR DUMMIES TEXTBOOK:
Read Chapters 1-3
Interview a local lawyer
Prepare a cover letter for paralegal position

Week Twenty:
American Judicial System & Categories of Law
Read Chapters 4 & 5
Give examples of the various government agencies
Discuss the concept of reasonable doubt
List the classes of crimes

Week Twenty-One:
The Litigation Process& Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence
Read Chapter 6 & 7
Read supplementary sources online
Discuss and analyze the legal process
Draft an outline demonstrating the legal process
Discuss the hearsay rule
Review the Cayman Judicial web site and Grand Courts Rules
Draft an affidavit

Week Twenty-Two:
Legal Authority
Read Chapters 8 & 9
Discuss Stare Decisis
Chart out the local structure of the courts and how legal precedent would apply
Define the type of authority

Week Twenty-Three:
Preparing Legal Documents
Read Chapter 10
Review Grand Court Rules
Draft an affidavit

Week Twenty-Four:
Legal Research
Read Chapter 13
List major sources of legal research
Review and understand UK Law case citation

Week Twenty-Five:
Legal Writing
Read Chapter 16
Review of letter, email writing
Effective Grammar
Sentence Structure for the paralegal
Punctuation and Mechanics
Proofreading your work

Week Twenty-Six:
Using Technology in Law & Office Management
Read Chapter 17 & 18
Software Applications for the Law Office
Computers in the Courtroom
Online resources

Week Twenty-Seven:
Rules of Ethics
Read Chapters 15 & 19
Understanding Professional conduct
Chain of responsibility
Client confidentiality
Conflicts of interests
Pro bono/Legal Aid
Improving legal system

Week Twenty-Eight:
Tips to Thrive in the Legal Environment
Read Chapters 20 & 21
Review contents of CD
Discussion Board Posting