Political Science students from the University of Baguio‘s School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA) participated in a full-day training on paralegal practice on September 2, 2026, at FGB Hall, featuring discussions and workshops that covered basic procedures, legal writing, and case analysis.
Legal Skills Training: UB BAPS Pre-Law Preparations
The training, titled The Pre-Law Advantage: A Training Series on Paralegal Practice, featured Ms. Eriel Starr Gonzales, JD, as the resource speaker. Running from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The combination of discussions and practical exercises provided Political Science students with exposure to practical areas that complement their academic coursework and pre-law preparation.
The morning session focused on four areas: Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, and Legal Writing. Ms. Gonzales discussed concepts and processes related to each area, giving students points to consider when working with documents, cases, and evidence. The session also provided students with an opportunity to raise questions and engage with topics related to industry practice.
During the afternoon session, which featured dedicated workshop activities, esteemed students were asked to apply what they had learned through four exercises. The activities tested their ability to work with legalese, prepare case digests, and assess statements through true-or-false fact-checking exercises.
The workshop prompted students to create groups with peers spanning different year levels. The setup brought together students with varying levels of academic experience as they worked on the activities and discussed possible answers. Group members exchanged ideas, compared their understanding of the given cases and statements, and worked together to complete each task.
Promoting skill-building and progressive practical knowledge through educational experiences (aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5, 8, and 17), the exercises also focused on skills students might need when working with legal materials, specifically reading, writing, finding pertinent information, and verifying the veracity of claims. Instead of focusing solely on lecture-based discussion, the workshop gave students the opportunity to complete tasks that required them to apply concepts and justify their conclusions.
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Written by: Rebekah A. Delgado
Article enhancement by Gabriel Madriaga
