Paralegal Course Curriculum

The comprehensive Blackstone Paralegal course curriculum covers a broad range of legal topics.

• Volume I: Law – Its Origin, Nature and Development & Contracts
• Volume II: Torts
• Volume III: Criminal Law
• Volume IV: Real Property – Part I
• Volume V: Real Property – Part II
• Volume VI: Pleadings in Civil Actions, Practice in Civil Actions, Criminal Procedures
• Volume VII: Wills & Trusts
• Volume VIII: Partnerships & Corporations
• Volume IX: Constitutional Law – Part I
• Volume X: Constitutional Law – Part II
• Volume XI: Legal Research and Writing – Part I
• Volume XII: Legal Research and Writing – Part II
• Volume XIII: Paralegal Career Starter: How to Find a Job as a Paralegal
• Volume XIV: Ethics for Paralegals

Volume I: Law – Its Origin, Nature and Development & Contracts (220 pages)

Nature of Law Sources of Law Classifications of Law Beginnings of Law Making of the Common Law Enlargement of the Common Law Maturity of the Law American Development of the Common Law History of Contracts Offer & Acceptance Reality of Consent Contracts Under Seal Consideration

Statute of Frauds & Perjuries Capacity of Parties Legality of the Subject Matter Limits of Contractual Obligation Assignment of Contracts Joint & Several Contracts Interpretation & Construction of Contracts Promises & Conditions Rules on Conditions Impossibility of Performance Breach of Contracts The Discharge of Contracts

Return to Paralegal course curriculum list

Volume II: Torts (234 pages)

Fundamental Notions Trespass to the Person Battery Assault False Imprisonment Trespass to the Property Excusable Trespasses Conversion Nature of Conversion Particular Instances of Conversion Legal Cause Negligence Deceit The Defendant’s Wrongful Conduct The Effect Upon the Plaintiff Defamation Two Species of Defamation The Plaintiff’s Case in Defamation

The Defendant’s Response The Response Prima Facie Defense Judgement & Damages Malicious Prosecution Interference with Domestic Relations Interference with Contractual Relations Interference with Business or Employment Right of Privacy Acting at Peril – General Principles Liability for Inanimate Forces Liability for Injuries from Lawful Use of One’s Land Joint Tort – Feasors

Return to Paralegal course curriculum list

Volume III: Criminal Law (154 pages)

The Subject Defined The Act The Intent Incapacity or Limitations to Criminal Capacity Circumstances Affecting Criminal Responsibility Justification Parties to Crime Incomplete Offenses Homicide Assault, Battery, Mayhem Rape False Imprisonment Kidnapping & Abduction

Burglary & Arson Larceny Robbery Embezzlement False Pretenses Receiving Stolen Goods Malicious Mischief Forgery Counterfeiting Extortion Offenses Against Religion, Morals & Decency Offenses Against the Public Peace Offenses Against Public Authority

Return to Paralegal course curriculum list

Volume IV: Real Property – Part I (180 pages)

Nature of Ownership Origin & Terminology Real & Personal Property The Feudal System Manors Sources of Title in this Country Tenures Seisin & Livery of Seisin Growth of Individual Rights Estates Fee Simple Determinable or Base Fee Estates Tail Rule in Shelley’s Case Life Estates Restraints on Alienation Estates upon Condition

Uses Equitable Conversion Remainders & Reversions Contingent Remainders Conditional Limitations Rule Against Perpetuities Application of Rule Against Perpetuities Rule Applied to Charities Rule Applied to Powers Co-Tenancy in General Tenancy in Common Joint Tenancy Coparcenary Estates Arising by Marriage Curtesy

Return to Paralegal course curriculum list

Volume V: Real Property – Part II (184 pages)

Dower Homestead Exemptions Rights Appurtenant to Land Fruits of the Soil Waste Boundaries Fences Natural Rights to Land & Air & Water Lateral & Subjacent Support Easements Licenses Profits Party Walls Rent Covenants Running With Land Forms of Conveyances Surrender & Release

Delivery & Acceptance Other Essentials to Valid Conveyance Abstracts of Title Covenants of Title Recording Laws Torrens System of Land Registration Dedication Public Lands Powers Acquisition or Transfer of Title Forfeiture for Crime Sales on Execution Partition Adverse Possession Accretion, Alluvion & Reliction

Return to Paralegal course curriculum list

Volume VI: Pleadings in Civil Actions, Practice in Civil Actions, Criminal Procedures (206 pages)

Necessity of Pleading & Importance of Subject History of Courts & Pleading Course of Action Common Law Causes of Action Proceedings in Other Courts & Effect of the Code on Forms of Action Parties to Actions and Joinder of Actions The Plaintiff’s First Pleading General Rules of Pleading The Defenses to an Action Defendant’s Pleading & Rules Governing Them The Plaintiff’s Second Pleading Closing of Issues & Judgment Beginning Suit

Preliminary Motions Non-Jury Cases Jury Trials Opening Statements – Excluding Witnesses Depositions Examinations of Witnesses Charging the Jury Verdicts Entering Judgment Appeals Introduction to Criminal Procedure Jurisdiction & Venue Preliminary Proceedings Indictments Procedure Between Indictment & Trial The Trial Steps After the Trial

Return to Paralegal course curriculum list

Volume VII: Wills and Trusts (190 pages)

Introduction & Classification Descent Distribution Wills Defined Origin, History & Nature of Wills Capacities of Testators & Beneficiaries Execution of Wills Revocation of Wills Republication & Revival Lapsed & Void Legacies & Devises Ademption Probate of Wills Administration of Estates Guardian & Ward

History of Trusts Trusts Distinguished From Other Relationships Creation of Express Trusts Creation of Implied Trusts Private Trusts Public Trusts Trustee – Appointment, Qualifications & Powers Trustee – Duties, Rights, Liabilities & Removal Beneficiary – Rights & Liabilities Beneficiary – His Remedies

Return to Paralegal course curriculum list

Volume VIII: Partnerships & Corporations (222 pages)

Legal Conception of Corporation Formation of Corporations Irregularly & Defectively Organized Corporations Promotion of Corporations Subscribers & Stock Subscriptions Corporation & State Corporate Powers Ultra Vires Transactions Corporate Crimes & Torts Directors Corporate Membership

Rights of Stockholders Corporate Creditors Foreign Corporations Partnerships – Characteristics Creation of Partnership Name & Property of Partnership Partnership Liability Duties of Partners Remedies of Creditors Actions Between Partners Action Between Partners & Third Persons Termination of Partnership

Return to Paralegal course curriculum list

Volume IX: Constitutional Law – Part I (104 pages)

Constitutions, Their Nature & Law American Constitutions & Constitutional Law Organization & Powers of United States Government

Relations Between Union & the States Powers of President Powers of Congress

Return to Paralegal course curriculum list

Volume X: Constitutional Law – Part II (118 pages)

Constitution as a Bill of Rights Political Privileges & Their Protection Civil Rights & Their Guaranties Protection of Person Accused of a Crime

Due Process of Law Equal Protections of Law Impairment of Obligation of Contracts The Constitution of the United States

Return to Paralegal course curriculum list

Volume XI: Legal Research and Writing – Part I, by Tracey Biscontini (116 pages)

Introduction to the Law and the U.S. Legal System Primary Sources Secondary Sources Computer-Assisted Legal Research

Conducting Legal Research Updating and Verifying Legal Research Legal Analysis

Graded Assignment: Shepardizing

Effective Legal Research Using LexisNexis®

• Online tutorial
• Individual search assistance available 24 x 7 by LexisNexis® support personnel
• Training Session 1—Introduction to Lexis.com
• Training Session 2—Using Secondary Sources for Initial Case Analysis
• Training Session 3—Researching Statutes and Regulations
• Training Session 4—Case Law Research
• Training Session 5—Cite Checking with Shepard’s® Citation Service

Graded Assignment: Effective Legal Research Using LexisNexis®

Return to Paralegal course curriculum list

Volume XII: Legal Research and Writing – Part II, by Tracey Biscontini (110 pages)

Introduction to Legal Writing Writing Legal Letters Legal Research Memorandums

Trial Court Legal Memorandums Appellate Briefs

Graded Assignment: Demand Letter

Graded Assignment: Legal Research Memorandum

Graded Assignment: Q & A Appellate

Return to Paralegal course curriculum list

Volume XIII: How to Find a Job as a Paralegal, by Tracey Biscontini (100 pages)

The Paralegal Profession The Job Search Job-Search Correspondence

Job Interviews Succeeding on the Job

Graded Assignment: Resumé

Graded Assignment: Cover Letter

Return to Paralegal course curriculum list

Volume XIV: Ethics for Paralegals (94 pages)

Tasks of a Paralegal Attorney vs. Paralegal Responsibilities Certification and Licensing Freelance and Independent Paralegals Confidentiality, Ethical Walls, and Screening

Integrity of the Paralegal Profession ABA Model Guidelines NALA Model Guidelines NALA Code of Ethics NFPA Code of Ethics

Return to Paralegal course curriculum list