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Course Description

Basic concepts of contract law and practical drafting skills used by paralegals are emphasized. Topics include contract formation, unenforceable contracts, performance and breach of the contract, parties' remedies for breach, and third-party interests. Participants are exposed to real contract clauses in various settings, and are required to draft clauses based on hypothetical scenarios. Students tackle real-life contractual disputes and the instructor guides students to formulate appropriate resolutions.

Learner Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Identify the steps of contract formation
  • Draft an offer to enter into a contract
  • Draft an acceptance of an offer
  • Identify when a contract has to be reduced to writing
  • Identify the remedies for breach of contract
  • Apply the rules of contract interpretation    
  • Identify conditions to performance
  • Draft contract conditions
  • Draft clauses that provide for the contingencies of unexpected events
  • Draft clauses that create third party interests
  • Create effective assignments of contract rights

Prerequisites

Fundamentals of Paralegal Studies or consent of program director

Notes

Certification Disclosure: In California an individual may qualify to hold one’s self out as a paralegal in one of several ways including earning a certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association. (Calif. Bus. & Prof. Code §6450(c)(1).) The Paralegal Professional Certificate program offered by UCSB PaCe satisfies the requirements of California law in this regard.

 

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

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Type
Online
Dates
Jun 22, 2026 to Sep 11, 2026
Contact Hours
30.0
Delivery Options
Course Fee(s)
Course fee credit (3 units) $575.00
Available for Credit
3 units
Instructors

Section Notes

Steps to Enroll

How to Access Your Online Course on Canvas

Late Registrations Notice: 

No late enrollment after the 7th day – 6/28/2026

Required Textbook(s):
Students are required to purchase the textbook(s) assigned by the instructor:

Basic Contract Law for Paralegals
Author(s): Helewitz, Jeffrey A.
Edition: 11th, 2024
Publisher: Aspen Publishers

Please order textbooks from the bookseller of your choice. Be sure to order the correct ISBN and textbook edition.

No refunds after 7/5/26
A minimum $40 non-refundable administrative fee per course is charged for all drops. See the full Drop Policy here.