CLA/CP Exam Trivia 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organization administers the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential in the United States?
- National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) (Correct answer)
- American Bar Association (ABA)
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
- American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE)
Correct answer: National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
NALA administers the Certified Paralegal (CP) exam, formerly known as the CLA exam.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the attorney-client privilege in US law?
- To encourage open communication between clients and their attorneys (Correct answer)
- To protect attorneys from malpractice claims
- To prevent paralegals from accessing case files
- To limit court discovery of all legal documents
Correct answer: To encourage open communication between clients and their attorneys
Attorney-client privilege exists to foster candid communication by assuring clients that their disclosures to counsel remain confidential.
Question 3: Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, how many days does a defendant generally have to respond to a complaint after service?
- 21 days (Correct answer)
- 30 days
- 14 days
- 60 days
Correct answer: 21 days
FRCP Rule 12(a)(1)(A)(i) gives a defendant 21 days after being served with a summons and complaint to file an answer.
Question 4: Which doctrine holds that a court will follow its own earlier decisions and those of higher courts in the same jurisdiction?
- Stare decisis (Correct answer)
- Res judicata
- Collateral estoppel
- Laches
Correct answer: Stare decisis
Stare decisis (Latin: 'to stand by decided matters') requires courts to follow precedent established by prior decisions.
Question 5: A paralegal who discloses confidential client information without authorization has most likely violated which ethical duty?
- Duty of confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Duty of loyalty
- Duty of competence
- Duty of candor
Correct answer: Duty of confidentiality
Unauthorized disclosure of client information breaches the duty of confidentiality, which paralegals share with supervising attorneys.
Question 6: Which type of jurisdiction refers to a court's authority to hear a case as the first court to consider it?
- Original jurisdiction (Correct answer)
- Appellate jurisdiction
- Concurrent jurisdiction
- Diversity jurisdiction
Correct answer: Original jurisdiction
Original jurisdiction is the authority of a court to hear and decide a case before any other court does.
Question 7: What does the term 'pro se' mean in a legal context?
- Representing oneself without an attorney (Correct answer)
- Acting on behalf of another party
- Filing under seal
- Proceeding in forma pauperis
Correct answer: Representing oneself without an attorney
Pro se is a Latin term meaning 'for oneself,' describing a party who represents themselves in court without a lawyer.
CLA/CP Exam Trivia 2
Which organization administers the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential in the United States?