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Course Description

Gain a working knowledge of civil procedure and learn to apply it as a paralegal working in a litigation setting. The course provides an overview of the procedures associated with the preparation of a civil action, from the initial client contact and discovery stage through trial setting and preparation, with an emphasis on California civil procedure. Topics include:

  • Examining the role of the paralegal in the civil process
  • Understanding court systems
  • Comprehending jurisdiction and other pre-litigation issues
  • Understanding pleadings
  • Conceptualizing and applying discovery procedures
  • Introduction to trial setting and preparation

Learner Outcomes

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

  • Identify different courts and determine the proper court to bring a lawsuit
  • Follow proper pre-filing procedures
  • Draft a complaint and answer
  • Meet deadlines and filing requirements for motions
  • Follow proper discovery procedures
  • Assist an attorney in litigating a case

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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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in

Section Schedule
Jan 07, 2027 to Mar 11, 2027
Type
Online
Days
Th
Time
6:00PM to 9:00PM
Dates
Jan 07, 2027
Campus
Web-based Instruction
Type
Online
Dates
Jan 07, 2027 to Mar 11, 2027
Type
Online
Days
Th
Time
6:00PM to 9:00PM
Dates
Feb 04, 2027
Campus
Web-based Instruction
Type
Class
Days
Sa
Time
10:00AM to 12:00PM
Dates
Mar 06, 2027
Campus
Other Santa Barbara Location
Schedule and Location
View Details
Contact Hours
30.0
Location
  • Web-based Instruction
  • Other Santa Barbara Location
Delivery Options
Online Blended  
Course Fee(s)
Course Fee credit (3 units) $575.00
Available for Credit
3 units
Instructors

Section Notes

This class is offered in a blended format of Online-Live and Online Asynchronous.

Instruction begins the week of 01/07/2027. There will be two real-time class meetings on Thursdays via Zoom from 6pm to 9pm on Jan 7th, Feb 4th, and a Santa Barbara Courthouse Tour on Saturday, March 6th, at 10am. (If you do not live locally near Santa Barbara, that is no problem. In the alternative, students will be assigned to visit their local Courthouse - or a Courthouse of their choosing, and write a short report following the trip.)

All other class meetings are online asynchronous.

Steps to Enroll

How to Access Your Online Course on Canvas

Late Registrations Notice: 

Self-enrollment will be available until 11:59 PM PT of the second business day after the 1st class session (i.e. If the first class starts on Thursday, self-enrollment is open until the following Monday at 11:59 pm).  If you wish to enroll after that time, please contact PaCE Support at help@professional.ucsb.edu

No refunds after 01/17/27
All drops are charged a minimum $40 non-refundable administrative fee per course. The full Drop Policy is here.

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

California Civil Litigation and Discovery (CCLD)
Author(s): Julie Goren
Edition: NEWEST

AND

Litigation by the Numbers
Author(s): Julie Goren
Edition: NEWEST

(Note: Be sure to order the January 2027 version, available in late December.)