DON MARIANO MARCOS MEMORIAL STATE UNIVERSITY

MID-LA UNION CAMPUS

COLLEGE OF LAW

LAW ____ PRACTICE COURT

COURSE SYLLABUS
SY 2018-2019, First Semester

Course Code: Law ____ Units: 2

Descriptive Title: PRACTICE COURT I

I. Course Description:
This is a clinical offering which exposes the students to the practical
aspects of the law, particularly in the trial of cases. It includes training on
the preparation and drafting of complaints, petitions, answers and other
pleadings, motions, briefs and other legal papers which are submitted to
the court and quasi-judicial tribunals. It also deals with the art of effective
oral advocacy.

It covers practical instruction in the preparation of cases and trial briefs

before actual trial of cases. It includes practical suggestions on effective
methods of (1) gathering the facts of cases, (2) the formulation of the
theory of the case, (3) search for legal authorities, (4)construction of
pleadings, and (4) interview and examination of witnesses.

The course will also include discussion on presentation of evidence in

court covered by Rule 132 of the Rules of Court in preparation for Practice
Court II for the conduct of mock trials.

II. Course Objective:

The course will aim to expose the future law practitioner to the intricacies
of law practice. It also aims at providing the student with a good overview
and sense of orientation with regard to the most imminent problems and
challenges in law practice specifically the preparation of various pleadings
which are more often than not done outside the courtroom.

Students successfully completing this course should be able to:

1. Understand and appreciate the nature of work of a lawyer.
2. Demonstrate the ability to prepare trial briefs.
3. Demonstrate the ability to prepare various pleadings such as
complaints, answer, legal memorandum, position paper among others
in accordance with established rules of procedure.
4. Demonstrate the ability and competency to present evidence in court
litigation.

III.Grading System:
Midterm Grade = 40%(Quizzes) + 20%(OTR)+40%(Midterm Exam)
Final Term Grade = 40%(Quizzes) + 20%(OTR)+40%(Final Exam)

Final Grade = 40%(Midterm Grade) + 60%(Final Grade)

where: OTR(Other Requirements)= Attendance, Recitation, Assignment,

Seatwork, Research Works etc.

IV. Course Outline:

A. What constitutes the Practice of Law

Course Syllabus - Practice Court
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 B. Effective Legal Writing

C. Preparation and Drafting of Initiatory Pleadings

a. Criminal complaint
b. Civil Complaint
c. Petition

D. Answering a Complaint in a Civil Case

E. Preparing for Trial

F. Efficient Use of Paper Rule (A.M. No. 11-9-4-SC)

G. Judicial Affidavit Rule (A.M. No. 12-8-8-SC)

H. Pre-Trial Techniques

I. Rules of Procedure in Quasi-Judicial Tribunals

a. National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC)
b. Commission on Audit (COA)
c. Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB)
d. Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB)

J. Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service

K. Position Paper, Legal Memorandum, Motion for Reconsideration &

Appellant’s Brief

L. Presentation of Evidence

M. Salient Features of the Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of

Criminal Cases (A.M. No. 15-06-10-SC)

V. References:
1. Wellman, Francis L. The Art of Cross-Examination. London: The
Macmillan Company. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
2. Tan, Ferdinand & Festin, Gemy Lito (2014). The Judicial Affidavit
Rule – Features and Insights. Quezon City: Rex Book Store.

Course Syllabus - Practice Court

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