Law Society of Ontario (LSO) Paralegal Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the Law Society of Ontario Paralegal Exam. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Ensure you're ready for a successful exam experience!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


When might evidence surprise the other party unfairly, impacting the trial?

  1. When evidence is well-documented

  2. When it is introduced at an unexpected time

  3. When it supports the case being argued

  4. When it is based on a credible source

The correct answer is: When it is introduced at an unexpected time

Introducing evidence at an unexpected time can unfairly surprise the other party and potentially impact the trial. This occurs when one side presents evidence that the other side did not have the opportunity to prepare for, whether that means evaluating the evidence or formulating a response. Such a scenario can disrupt the flow of the trial, undermine the affected party’s ability to adequately challenge or counter the evidence, and can lead to feelings of disadvantage or injustice. Effective legal proceedings demand that all parties have a fair opportunity to present their cases and respond to the other party’s claims. Therefore, adhering to protocols regarding the timing of evidence is crucial to maintaining a level playing field in the courtroom. In contrast, evidence that is well-documented, supports a case, or comes from a credible source may be valuable and persuasive but does not inherently cause surprise in the legal context. The focus here is on the timing and manner of evidence presentation, which is key to ensuring fair proceedings.