Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) Practice Exam

What is the purpose of intervention in a lawsuit?

1. To appeal a court decision

2. To allow third parties to join

3. To resolve a dispute prior to trial

4. To seek a summary judgment

The correct answer is: To allow third parties to join

The purpose of intervention in a lawsuit centers around allowing third parties to join ongoing litigation when they have a vested interest in the outcome. This legal mechanism is designed to ensure that all parties with significant stakes or interests in the matter can participate and present their perspectives, which contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. Intervention is particularly crucial in scenarios where the rights of the intervening party might be affected by the judgment, thereby ensuring fairness and thoroughness in the judicial process. Those who intervene can either support or oppose the claims made by the original parties, and they must meet certain requirements, such as demonstrating that their interest is adequately represented and that their intervention does not disrupt the proceedings. The other choices focus on different legal procedures. For instance, appealing a court decision addresses the review process of a judgment made by a lower court, while resolving a dispute prior to trial typically involves mediation or settlement negotiations, which happen outside the direct framework of intervention. Seeking a summary judgment relates to a party's request for a decision based on substantive law without a full trial, which does not involve the entrance of new parties into the case. Each of these processes serves distinct purposes within the legal system, separate from the fundamental role of intervention.