The correct answer is B. False. A defendant does not ordinarily file the initial lawsuit. In a civil action, the plaintiff—here, Mary—is the party who begins the case by filing a complaint or similar pleading in a court that has proper jurisdiction. The CFE Law materials explain that civil actions generally begin with the filing of a pleading by the plaintiff, usually in the jurisdiction where the defendant resides or where the claim arose. That directly contradicts the statement in the question.

The statement is also inaccurate because a lawsuit cannot simply be filed in any court in either country. A proper court must have jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter, and venue rules must also be satisfied. In cross-border disputes, those issues can become even more complex, especially where the parties live in different countries. The core error, however, is enough to make the statement false: Keith, as the defendant, does not get to initiate the case merely because he is the defendant. Mary, as the party claiming legal relief, would normally be the one to file. Therefore, under basic civil procedure principles used in the CFE Law topics, the answer is False.

This question tests your knowledge of Domain 4.

In the context of Securities Fraud, specifically relating to securities, the question asks about the core concepts in this area.

The correct answer is A: True.

This question tests knowledge of securities fraud and regulation. The correct answer accurately describes the role of regulatory bodies, securities laws, or fraud schemes in this context. Securities fraud is a specialized area requiring knowledge of specific regulations and oversight mechanisms.

The correct answer is B. The CFE Manual states that authenticity is supported by establishing a chain of custody, which is both a process and a document showing who had possession of an item and what was done with it. The chain of custody is important because it helps prove that the evidence has not been materially altered or changed from the time it was collected until it is produced in court. That is exactly the concern raised in this question.

The Manual further explains that establishing chain of custody generally involves documenting each person who had control of the evidence, when and how it was received, how it was stored, whether any changes occurred while it was in that person’s possession, and how it left that person’s custody. It is therefore the primary method for preserving and proving authenticity.

The other options do not address authenticity as directly. Limiting release only to a judge is not the standard legal requirement. Requiring court orders from opposing parties may relate to access disputes, not authenticity. Preventing all others from ever handling the evidence is also unrealistic and unnecessary if possession is properly documented. For CFE purposes, the best practice is to maintain a clear, documented chain of custody, so B is the correct answer.