Paralegal Training Programme: Competent Support Under Supervision
The paralegal's scope
The Paralegal Training Programme section tests the boundaries and mechanics of delegated legal work. A paralegal supports advocates and legal departments but does not give independent legal advice, appear as an advocate, or hold client funds. Core areas include legal research and drafting, file and document management, client intake and communication, court registry and filing procedures, conveyancing and company registry support, and the ethical rules that attach to all of these.
Concepts to master
Understand confidentiality as a personal obligation that survives the end of employment, and conflicts of interest that arise when a paralegal moves between firms. Know the difference between taking instructions and taking messages: a paralegal records and relays instructions but does not advise the client on strategy. Learn the anatomy of a court file: pleadings, verifying affidavits, exhibits, and the registry's requirements for filing, service, and fees. Drafting competence means correct headings, parties, prayer, and signature blocks, plus proofreading for names, dates, and figures.
Traps
Questions often test the line between clerical and legal judgment: choosing which form to file may be procedural, but advising whether to sue is legal advice. Another trap is assuming a paralegal may sign pleadings or swear to matters outside personal knowledge. Watch also for questions that reward informal shortcuts (backdating documents, filing without the required fee) that are in fact misconduct.
Worked rule of thumb
If a task requires the exercise of legal judgment about a client's rights, escalate it to the supervising advocate; if it requires accurate execution of a defined process, it is yours. When in doubt, document the instruction and confirm in writing.
Exam technique
Identify the supervising relationship and the risk to the client; the safest answer is usually the one that preserves confidentiality, accuracy, and escalation.