These two exercises are offered to familiarize students with what prosecuting and defense attorneys do from the time an investigation begins until trial preparation and why they do it.
Read moreThis exercise introduces users to the principal provisions of the California Probate Code which governs intestacy. It also illustrates the application of those provisions to typical fact situations. The exercise explores inheritance by descendants, ancestors and collateral heirs in the context of both separate, community and quasicommunity property. Finally, the program explores subsidiary problems of inheritance such as the rights of posthumous heirs, adopted heirs, illegitimate children, foster-children, the slayer of the decedent and the treatment of the simultaneous death problem.
Read moreThis exercise reviews some substantive principles of contract law and demonstrates the application of that substance to the process of drafting. The exercise begins with a form contract that the user must rewrite to suit the needs of the client. On completion, the user has reviewed applicable principles from both the common law and the U.C.C. In addition, the user has learned principles of drafting that can be applied either to revision of a form or to drafting from scratch.
Read moreThis lesson takes a look at the Mailbox Rule. The offeror, as master of the offer, may insist that the offeree accept by means of the mail (or some similar form delivery, such as e-mail). Alternatively, the offer may not specify a means of acceptance and the offeree may decide to use the mail, where such acceptance would be permissible in accordance with the offer. This lesson sets out the ramifications of use of the mail (as well as e-mail and facsimiles, which follow the same rule). The general attributes of offer and acceptance are covered in other lessons.
Read moreThis lesson focuses upon the requirement that an adverse possession claim must be based upon possession that is sufficiently "hostile" and "under claim of right." This lesson addresses the following topics: the rationale behind the "hostile/under claim of right" requirement and how it relates to the other elements of the common law adverse possession rule; the significance of "permission to occupy land" under adverse possession doctrine, and how to distinguish between permissive and hostile claims; and the legal standards by which differing courts have evaluated the hostility of a possessor’s claim, either by reference to the possessor’s actions (objectively), or state of mind (subjectively).
Read moreThis exercise provides a review of the liability scheme and defenses under CERCLA and briefly reviews the CERCLA cleanup process.
Read moreThis is a lesson that introduces the basics of valuation. The lesson teaches about moving money through time using rates of interest or discount, and the use of rates and of price/earnings ratios to value businesses. The lesson does not assume any economic knowledge. If you already know the basics of valuation, then you should switch to the lesson on the Capital Asset Pricing Model.
Read moreThis is an introductory lesson on federal and state statutes to acquaint first-year law students with this important form of law. The lesson focuses on the basic structure of statutes and the sources in which they appear. It doesn't describe how to research statutes, but you'll learn statutory research much more easily if you understand this material first.
Read moreThis lesson follows up and builds upon the material in the lesson on Inter Vivos Gifts, but focuses instead upon transfers at death or in anticipation of death.
Read moreThis lesson deals with option contracts and firm offers, both of which result in irrevocable offers. The existence of an offer is often an essential element of the bargaining process. Although most offers are revocable, sometimes the offeree's power of acceptance is irrevocable through the formation of an option contract. This lesson will look at formation of an option contract through part performance or tender, a signed writing supported by consideration, statutory firm offers and detrimental reliance.
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