PAR1501 Assignment 1 (DETAILED ANSWERS) Semester 1 2026 - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED

PAR1501 Assignment 1 (DETAILED ANSWERS) Semester 1 2026 - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED Answers, guidelines, workings and references. Question 1 In your own words, explain two main benefits that a legal practice may experience when routine administrative and basic legal tasks are delegated to trained legal assistants instead of qualified attorneys. (4) Question 2 Identify and discuss three important features of customary or traditional dispute resolution systems in South Africa. In your answer, explain how each feature improves access to justice or strengthens social harmony within rural communities. (6) Question 3 Read the extract below and answer the question that follows: "In many rural communities, disputes are resolved through open discussions led by traditional leaders. The focus is on dialogue, acknowledgement of wrongdoing, restoration of relationships, and compensation where necessary. Community members participate in the proceedings, and the aim is to restore peace rather than impose punishment." Identify and briefly explain the three main stages or elements of this traditional dispute resolution process. (3) Question 4 List five important roles or functions performed by a community-based paralegal in promoting access to justice. (5) Question 5 Based on your understanding of the roles of legal practitioners and paralegals, explain two key differences between an admitted attorney and a community paralegal in terms of (a) legal authority and (b) scope of professional duties. (2) Question 1 (3 Marks) Explain three pathways available to a person wanting to pursue a Paralegal career. Question 2 (3 Marks) Discuss the key focus areas for community-based paralegals in South Africa since 1994 and explain their role in providing legal support to marginalized communities. Question 3 (3 Marks) Explain the role of community-based paralegals and how they differ from those in law firms. Question 4 (3 Marks) Describe three key roles that paralegals play in law firms. Question 5 (3 Marks) Explain the role of paralegals employed by government organizations such as Legal Aid South Africa.V Question 1 In your own words, explain the two key advantages that the Kansas law firm experienced after introducing trained non-lawyers to perform routine legal tasks. (4) Question 2 Identify and discuss three key characteristics of traditional justice systems in South Africa, as they function within communities and make justice accessible. In your answer, explain how each characteristic contributes to making justice more accessible or effective for traditional rural communities. (6) Question 3 Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow: "In the Lekgotla of Makapanstad Village in the Northwest Province of South Africa, the traditional court processes are about negotiating the disputes, confessions by the persons involved, and the processes of forgiveness, compensation, and healing, followed by relevant ceremonies to conclude the process. It is important to understand that the processes followed by Lekgotla are not linear and can be used interchangeably throughout the proceedings." Identify the three main processes involved in a Lekgotla proceeding as described in the extract. (3) Question 4 List all five characteristics of a paralegal. (5) Question 5 Downloaded by Pied Zulu () lOMoARcPSD| Based on the characteristics you provided in your answers to Question 5, what are two main differences you see between a lawyer and a paralegal regarding their professional status and the nature of their work? (2) Question 1 (3 Marks) Outline and briefly explain three educational or training routes a person can follow to qualify and work as a paralegal in South Africa. Question 2 (3 Marks) Discuss three main areas in which community advice offices and paralegals have provided assistance to vulnerable communities in post-1994 South Africa. Explain how this assistance improves access to justice. Question 3 (3 Marks) Explain the primary functions of community-based paralegals and compare their working environment and responsibilities with those of paralegals employed in private legal practices. Question 4 (3 Marks) Identify and describe three administrative or legal support duties typically performed by paralegals within a law firm setting. Question 5 (3 Marks) Explain how paralegals working in state institutions or public legal bodies contribute to the delivery of legal services to indigent or disadvantaged clients. Question 1 (3 Marks) Outline three different educational or training routes that a person may follow in order to qualify and work as a paralegal in South Africa. Question 2 (3 Marks) Discuss three main areas of legal assistance commonly provided by community advice offices in South Africa and explain how these services improve access to justice for vulnerable groups. Question 3 (3 Marks) Explain the functions of paralegals working in community advice centres and highlight how their responsibilities differ from paralegals employed in private legal practices. Question 4 (3 Marks) Identify and describe three administrative or legal support duties that paralegals typically perform within a private law firm. Question 5 (3 Marks) Discuss the responsibilities of paralegals working within public sector institutions such as Legal Aid South Africa or government legal departments, and explain how their work supports public service delivery. Question 1 In your own words, explain the two key advantages that the Kansas law firm experienced after introducing trained non-lawyers to perform routine legal tasks. (4) Question 2 Identify and discuss three key characteristics of traditional justice systems in South Africa, as they function within communities and make justice accessible. In your answer, explain how each characteristic contributes to making justice more accessible or effective for traditional rural communities. (6) Question 3 Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow: "In the Lekgotla of Makapanstad Village in the Northwest Province of South Africa, the traditional court processes are about negotiating the disputes, confessions by the persons involved, and the processes of forgiveness, compensation, and healing, followed by relevant ceremonies to conclude the process. It is important to understand that the processes followed by Lekgotla are not linear and can be used interchangeably throughout the proceedings." Identify the three main processes involved in a Lekgotla proceeding as described in the extract. (3) Question 4 List all five characteristics of a paralegal. (5) Question 5 Downloaded by Pied Zulu () lOMoARcPSD| Based on the characteristics you provided in your answers to Question 5, what are two main differences you see between a lawyer and a paralegal regarding their professional status and the nature of their work? (2) Question 1 In your own words, explain two main benefits that a legal practice may experience when routine administrative and basic legal tasks are delegated to trained legal assistants instead of qualified attorneys. (4) Question 2 Identify and discuss three important features of customary or traditional dispute resolution systems in South Africa. In your answer, explain how each feature improves access to justice or strengthens social harmony within rural communities. (6) Question 3 Read the extract below and answer the question that follows: "In many rural communities, disputes are resolved through open discussions led by traditional leaders. The focus is on dialogue, acknowledgement of wrongdoing, restoration of relationships, and compensation where necessary. Community members participate in the proceedings, and the aim is to restore peace rather than impose punishment." Identify and briefly explain the three main stages or elements of this traditional dispute resolution process. (3) Question 4 List five important roles or functions performed by a community-based paralegal in promoting access to justice. (5) Question 5 Based on your understanding of the roles of legal practitioners and paralegals, explain two key differences between an admitted attorney and a community paralegal in terms of (a) legal authority and (b) scope of professional duties. (2)