SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Conduct research in a paralegal context 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119500  Conduct research in a paralegal context 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Legal Education and Training 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Justice in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The learner who achieves this unit standard will be able to collect, analyse and evaluate information in the process of problem-solving. This unit standard is aimed at providing the fundamentals of such research and critical analyses and evaluation.

The qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information in a practical paralegal context.
  • Solve real legal problems on the basis of available information. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The learner accessing this unit standard is assumed to have the ability to:
  • Communicate at NQF level 4
  • Apply numeracy skills at NQF level 4
  • Apply computer skills at NQF level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Collect information for research in a practical paralegal context. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    The learner should demonstrate at least two techniques. Different research techniques may include a literature review of relevant sources, the use of databases and the use of internet resources. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Legal research techniques are compared with other research methodologies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sources that lead to the solution of a specified legal problem are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Technology is utilised to find legal sources and materials. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Different research techniques are utilised. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Analyse information for research in a practical paralegal context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Information required to solve a given legal problem is evaluated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different options to solve a given legal problem are discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The chosen solution is justified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Secondary options are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Present report of research findings based on analysed information. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A legal argument is constructed from the chosen solution(s) for a given legal problem. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The legal argument and recommendation is presented in a prescribed format according to organisational policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Research findings are presented in a prescribed format according to organisational policies and procedures. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments. Moderation of assessments will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and agreed ETQA procedures. This unit standard can be internally assessed by assessors of the provider and moderated by a moderator registered by the relevant ETQA. Moderation shall comply with SAQA requirements.

    Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor or moderator with the relevant ETQA. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The learner will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of:
  • Various types of technology available for communicating in writing.
  • Various ways of using technology in research projects.
  • Various appropriate communication methods, taking available technology, the targetaudience and the norms of the industry into account. Give reasons why a particular communication method was selected and demonstrate the actual communication (range of target audience: customers, colleagues, and suppliers).
  • Methods to check spelling, punctuation and grammar are accurate when communicating in writing, using a dictionary or spelling-check facility if necessary.
  • Various research methodologies.
  • Researched legal knowledge is integrated with existing knowledge with regard to contemporary issues. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve legal problems by exploring legal solutions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, organisation or as a role-player in the legal fraternity. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information necessary for developing a research report. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
  • Communicate effectively in writing and orally to present research findings.
  • Discuss research techniques in relation to other research methodologies in related legal and social systems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an awareness of the learner's responsibility as a role-player within the legal system and participate as a responsible citizen in the life of local, national and global communities. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49598   National Diploma: Paralegal Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 
    Elective  74570   National Certificate: Labour Relations Practice  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.