What Does It Mean to Be a Law Clerk in Canada?

Law clerks or judicial clerks perform a variety of activities in court or the chambers of a lawyer. Their primary role is to assist the judge of the lawyer they work for with court procedures, legal documents, case law materials, and general administrative duties. However, the exact roles and responsibilities depend upon the type of setting they work in and their job profile and individual qualifications and work experience.

The job of a law clerk is extremely demanding as it requires a combination of in-depth legal knowledge, business acumen and strong interpersonal skills. As they may have to deal with the parties involved in the cases, they must stay abreast of the latest changes in law and be able to guide people accordingly. They are also responsible for conducting researches for various cases and study opinions and citations and review judgements.

If they work for private law practitioners, then they may need to handle a range of activities, such as diary management, fees management, business development, client follow-up, workload planning and management, accounts keeping, and other business activities on daily basis. In addition to this, they are also expected to provide their honest opinions and recommendations to their seniors about various cases.

Although the relationship between a judge and a judicial clerk or a lawyer and a judicial clerk may be of a senior – assistant or employer – employee but the clerks are expected to offer their reactions and opinions, in order to assist judges make the judgements and expose lawyers to various viewpoints.

The position of a judicial clerk is generally full-time and their job is more administrative in nature than clerical. However, in order to assume this position, they individuals need to undergo a formal education in this field post their secondary education. They must acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to practice in this field.

Law Clerk Diploma Program

A law clerk diploma program equips students with the understanding and skills necessary for the employment in the legal profession. During the tenure of the program, they not only gain theoretical knowledge in various aspects of law but a strong emphasis is also placed on practical and career-oriented assignments, allowing them to apply their understanding to real-life legal situations.

The diploma program typically runs for two years through four semesters and covers a wide selection of subjects, including Strategies for Business Success, Family Law, Real Estate, Civil Litigation, Current Issues in Canadian Law, Corporate Law, Legal Research and Writing, Government Boards and Agencies, Wills and Estates, Debtor-Creditor and Landlord-Tenant Law.

Students who have completed their post-secondary education can enroll in this program. They need to send their applications to the college along with a copy of their secondary school diploma certificate or equivalent, and scores in English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent or Mathematics Grade 11 or 12 M or University or equivalent.

Where to Study Law Clerk Diploma in Canada?

 
Centennial College Toronto offers a two-year diploma program in law clerk and places a strong emphasis on practical, career-oriented assignments. The diploma reflects high standards of learning and incorporates a four-days-per-week work placement component in a law, corporate or government office for a period of 14 weeks. Further, the program is accredited by the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario (ILCO).