Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) with comprehensive quizzes and valuable study resources. Tackle multiple-choice questions that mirror the actual exam format to enhance your readiness and confidence.

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Which term refers to the written reference to legal authorities in legal documents?

Citation
Appendix
Exhibit
Affidavit

The correct answer is: Citation

The term that refers to the written reference to legal authorities in legal documents is citation. Citations are crucial in legal writing as they provide the source of legal authority being cited, such as statutes, case law, or regulations. They serve to support arguments made in legal documents and give credibility to the assertions by showing that they are backed by recognized legal authorities. Using citations allows practitioners to demonstrate that their claims are grounded in established law, and this practice also facilitates the reader's ability to locate the referenced legal authority for further research or validation. In contrast, an appendix serves as supplementary material at the end of a document, an exhibit refers to evidence presented during litigation, and an affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, often used as evidence in court. Thus, the role of citation is specifically to reference legal authorities, making it the appropriate choice in this context.