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).

Law Clerk – Job Description and Educational Requirements

The typical work activities include:

• Studying legal documents to investigate facts of cases
• Preparing cases and determining the course of action
• Researching law sources to prepare briefs and arguments
• Preparing closing statements
• Serving copies of pleas to opposition counsel
• Arranging transportation for witnesses, if required
• Maintaining documents
• Maintaining law libraries of attorneys and judges
• Communicating public or parties involved in a case regarding procedural requirements
• Proofreading judicial opinions and citations
• Staying abreast with changes in law
• Researching court decisions, opinions and other information related to the cases
• Reviewing complaints, petitions and details provided
• Performing courtroom duties
• Responding to questions from public, judicial officers or court staff

The exact job roles and responsibilities may vary depending upon their employment and individual experience.

Becoming a Law Clerk in Canada

Individuals aspiring to pursue their careers as judicial clerks in Canada need to undergo a formal legal education or training. The minimum requirement to seek entry level jobs is to have completed a post-secondary law clerk diploma. 

The individuals should have a thorough understanding of Canadian Law in the areas of family, corporate and civil litigation. They should also possess legal research and writing skills. In addition, they should be able to apply their knowledge in real-life legal situations. 

Law Clerk Program

Centennial College’s two-year post-secondary law clerk program fully prepares students for employment in legal profession. It is accredited by the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario and provides them an excellent opportunity to acquire knowledge, skills and abilities to practice in this field. 

The program covers a wide range of subjects, including strategies for business success, current issues in Canadian Law, family law, real estate, civil litigation, corporate law, legal research and writing, government boards and agencies, wills and estates, and debtor-creditor and landlord-tenant law. A strong emphasis is laid on legal communications and computers for judicial clerks. 

The final semester includes a four-day-per-week supervised work placement to provide invaluable work experience, allowing them to apply their classroom learning to real-life legal situations. The work placement also provides them with invaluable contacts that can be used as references when they actually enter the world of work.

Enrollment Guide

In order to apply for the Law Clerk program, you need to submit:

• Secondary school diploma or equivalent
• English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent
• Mathematics Grade 11 M or 12 C or University or equivalent

Students currently in high school can also apply for this course. Their midterm and final term grades will be automatically transmitted to the college.

Benefits of the Law Clerk Program

The program offers numerous benefits to students considering building a career as a judicial clerk. It

• Emphasizes on practical and career-oriented assignments
• Consists of four days per week placement component
• Provides students an opportunity to find positions assisting a wide variety of legal practices
• Allows students to apply credits earned during the program towards higher studies
• Helps students obtain relevant work experience required to enter the world of work

Graduates of this program can either pursue their careers or choose to study further.

Law Clerk Diploma Offers Many Opportunities

In order to become a Law Clerk, you must have: knowledge of rules and procedures of law and government, proficiency in speaking and writing English language, knowledge of clerical procedures, effective personal and customer service, and quickly grasp things. All of these skills can be developed in a law clerk diploma program such as the one offered at Centennial College.

This two-year, four-semester program offers a theory of law combined with hands-on application of the theories taught. Those who wish to apply must have completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, they must have completed compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11C, M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission.

In the program, a range of law courses, in conjunction with computer legal software courses, fully prepare students for employment in the legal profession. Among the specific courses within the Law Clerk are: Current Issues in Canadian Law, Corporate Law, Legal Research and Writing, Family Law, Computers for Law Clerks and more. To round out training provided on campus, students of the Law Clerk diploma offering partake in a work placement. “Our faculty members work with the students and meet with them individually to put together a wish list of what they would like to do for their work placement — whether it’s working for a law firm or a corporation or the government or in a courtroom setting. Our faculty then contacts the various employers, arranges the interview and the students are then working for the entire 15-week semester, four days a week,” says Patty-Ann Sullivan, coordinator of the Law Clerk diploma program.

In order to graduate, students must achieve an overall minimum GPA of 2.0, a minimum C grade average, a minimum C grade in COMM-170 and a minimum keyboarding speed of 40 words per minute. The Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario accredits the Law Clerk program.

Upon graduation from the Law Clerk program, responsibilities include: exploring and studying legal documents for determining causes of action, examining law of cases and facts, and preparing cases; preparing affidavits of documents, maintaining case correspondence and document files; researching analyzing law sources for preparing draft of briefs for approval, review, and advance use by attorneys screening petitions, motions and complaints filed to determine the litigant’s legal merit; advising the judge on the priority needs and status of assigned cases; setting up courtroom, recording equipment, and recording court proceedings; delivering subpoenas to parties and witnesses to action; maintaining retrieval and information storage services including legal search facilities and library; communicating and arbitrating dispute between different parties; helping judges in the translation of legal documents; and more.

Law Clerk Diploma Proves Valuable in the Legal Field

"This program is a two-year, four-semester program,” says Patty-Ann Sullivan, coordinator of the Law Clerk diploma undertaking at Centennial College. "They are taught the theory of the law. They also do a lot of hands-on application of the theory. So what we do, for example, in Family Law is I have them filling in divorce documents. In Real Estate, they actually work in the lab with the real estate legal software they are going to be using when they are working in the workplace. Throughout the entire program, they are learning the law and then applying the law. Our faculty members work with the students and meet with them individually to put together a wish list of what they would like to do for their work placement — whether it’s working for a law firm or a corporation or the government or in a courtroom setting. Our faculty then contacts the various employers, arranges the interview and the students are then working for the entire 15-week semester, four days a week.”

Patty-Ann provides a wonderful overview of this Law Clerk program. Let’s take a look at some of its specific details. First and foremost, those who wish to apply must have completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, they must have completed compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11C, M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission.

The Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario accredits the Law Clerk program, which results in an Ontario College Diploma. During the four semesters students spend at Centennial College, emphasis is placed on practical, career-oriented assignments. In addition, a wide variety of law courses, in conjunction with computer legal software courses, fully prepares students for employment in the legal profession. Specific courses within the Law Clerk offering include: Current Issues in Canadian Law (students gain an understanding of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario court system, as well as an introduction to torts, contracts, sale of goods and consumer protection law, employment law and property law); Corporate Law (teaches students the laws and procedures for incorporation, maintaining corporations, and commercial searches and registration); Legal Research and Writing (students learn the basic steps required to carry out both legal and factual research); and more.

As Patty-Ann mentioned, another major component of this Law Clerk diploma undertaking is the work placement. This feature allows students to work alongside seasoned law clerks applying what they have learned and gaining new knowledge while networking.


In order to graduate and become a law clerk, students must achieve an overall minimum GPA of 2.0, a minimum C grade average, a minimum C grade in COMM-170 and a minimum keyboarding speed of 40 words per minute. Upon graduation from the Law Clerk program, most begin their careers by applying for judicial clerkships.

Jason writes of the Law Clerk diploma undertaking at Centennial College, which balances courses such as Current Issues in Canadian Law, Corporate Law, and Legal Research and Writing with a work placement.

Become a Law Clerk and Contribute to Court Procedures

Aside from judges, lawyers and other legal staff, one professional needed in every courtroom is a law clerk. People in this profession perform a wide variety tasks within the courtroom, before the trail starts and after the trial wraps up. But before they are able to enter the field, would-be law clerks must attend a post-secondary program and obtain a law clerk diploma, such as the one offered by Toronto’s Centennial College.


Housed within the college’s School of Business, the two-year Law Clerk program is accredited by the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario (ILCO) and provides an excellent opportunity for students to acquire the skills necessary to practice in this field. Those who wish to apply and obtain an Ontario College Diploma must have obtained an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, they must have completed compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11C, M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission.


As with other Centennial College programs, the law clerk training provides an ideal balance between academic lectures and hands-on experience. Through their courses, students work with computer legal software, hear guest lecturers and end their studies by attending a four-day-per week work placement in the final semester. This unique work opportunity allows students to apply what they have learned while working alongside law clerk professionals who can share their own experiences with the students.


Before they head out on placement, students participate in a wide range of courses that focus on career-oriented assignments. These courses include: Computers for Law Clerks (designed to build keyboarding skills and to familiarize students with introductory computer concepts such as microcomputer operating systems, file management and more); Civil Litigation (traces the steps in a typical civil action from the commencement of proceedings to the point of trial); Legal Research and Writing (students learn the basic steps required to carry out both legal and factual research); and more.


In order to graduate and become a Toronto law clerk, students must achieve an overall minimum GPA of 2.0, a minimum C grade average, a minimum C grade in COMM-170 and a minimum keyboarding speed of 40 words per minute. Upon graduation, most Toronto law clerks begin their careers by applying for judicial clerkships. Provincial superior and appellate courts hire at least one clerk for each judge. The term typically lasts a year and is a great way to enter the field. Appellate law clerks are responsible for researching and analyzing complex issues in civil and criminal appeals. Meanwhile, trial law clerks help judges with settlement conferences and discovery disputes. They also review briefs submitted by the parties, perform legal research, verify cited legal authority and draft a variety of legal documents.


Emma is the author of this piece about Centennial College’s Law Clerk. Law Clerk program, which results in a Law Clerk Diploma.

A Law Clerk Diploma is the Best Way to Ensure Success as a Toronto Law Clerk

If things like court procedures, the court system and jurisdictional rules interest you, then a career as a law clerk may be the route to take. More specifically, in Canada, there are two types of law clerks: trial and appellate. Appellate law clerks are responsible for researching and analyzing complex issues in civil and criminal appeals. They also inform the judge and legal staff of the legal issues of a case prior to oral arguments. Meanwhile, trial law clerks help judges with settlement conferences and discovery disputes. They also review briefs submitted by the parties, perform legal research, verify cited legal authority and draft a variety of legal documents. Both types of law clerks make recommendations regarding the disposition of appeals and may heavily influence a judge’s decision. The position is one of the most sought-after careers in the legal industry. However, to obtain a job and be successful, a Law Clerk Diploma is essential.

At Centennial College, students can study in the two-year Law Clerk Program, which results in an Ontario College Diploma. In order to apply, students must be able to prove that they have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, they must have completed compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11C, M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission.

Centennial College’s Law Clerk program is actually accredited by the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario (ILCO). This accreditation ensures that students are acquiring the skills necessary to practice in this field. Within the program, there is a wide range of courses that focus on career-oriented assignments in conjunction with computer legal software courses. These courses include: Strategies for Business Success, Current Issues in Canadian Law, Family Law, Legal Research and Writing Skills, Government Boards and Agencies and more. The in-school learning is balanced with a four-day-per-week work placement during which students spend time in a law, corporate or government office during the final semester of the Law Clerk diploma program.

In order to graduate and become a Toronto Law Clerk, students must achieve an overall minimum GPA of 2.0, a minimum C grade average, a minimum C grade in COMM-170 and a minimum keyboarding speed of 40 words per minute. Upon graduation, most Toronto Law Clerks begin their careers by applying for judicial clerkships. Provincial superior and appellate courts hire at least one clerk for each judge. The term typically lasts a year and is a great way to enter the field.

Become a Toronto Law Clerk by Obtaining a Law Clerk Diploma

What is the job of a law clerk? It's a question to which many of us have a partial answer. But one thing is for sure, there is much more to this legal profession than clerical tasks. Skilled law clerks are actually imperative in collaborating with judges throughout the entire litigation process and assisting them in making informed decisions. The position is one of the most sought-after careers in the legal industry. However, before a job can be attained, a Law Clerk Diploma is essential. Upon graduation, most Canadian clerks begin their careers by applying for judicial clerkships. Provincial superior and appellate courts hire at least one clerk for each judge. The term typically lasts a year and is a great way to enter the field.

Centennial College offers an extraordinary opportunity for students to obtain a highly respected and sought-after Law Clerk Diploma. The wide range of law courses that emphasize career-oriented assignments, in conjunction with computer legal software courses, will give you the skills to make you employable in this legal profession. In addition, there is a four-day-a-week work placement in a law, corporate or government office during the final semester of Centennial’s Law Clerk diploma program. Lastly, faculty members are lawyers and other law office professionals who can share anecdotes and personal experiences.

Centennial College expects students applying for admission to this diploma program to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Academic requirements include compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11C, M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent. In order to graduate, law clerk students must achieve: an overall minimum GPA of 2.0, a minimum C grade average, a minimum C grade in COMM-170 and a minimum keyboarding speed of 40 words per minute.

But what specific skills must a Toronto Law Clerk possess and what tasks does he or she perform? In general, a solid understanding of diverse areas of the law, court procedures, jurisdictional rules and the court system is required. On a daily basis, law clerks research and analyze complicated issues in civil and criminal courts, assist judges in courtroom proceedings and manage exhibits submitted into evidence. They must also be strong communicators to interact with chambers staff, court personnel, litigants and the public.

There is, however, a difference between a trial and appellate law clerk. Trial law clerks help judges with settlement conferences and discovery disputes. They also review briefs submitted by the parties, perform legal research, verify cited legal authority and draft a variety of legal documents. Therefore, superior writing skills are required. On the other hand, appellate law clerks research and analyze complex legal issues in civil and criminal appeals. They also educate the judge and legal staff on the legal issues of a case prior to oral arguments. Law clerks, in general, have great power because they make recommendations regarding the disposition of appeals and may heavily influence a judge’s decision.

For more information visit Centennial College's, Toronto Law Clerk page

Centennial College offers Full-time Program In Law Clerk

In today's competitive job market, employers are seeking to hire graduates that are highly specialized and well trained. You can't afford to waste your time with an education that won’t help you get the job you want. At Centennial College, all our programs are geared for success.

As part of your program, you will not only learn how to use the latest cutting edge tools, but you will also learn how to apply the latest principles from business professionals. To compliment your classroom learning, you will also get hands-on experience in the labs.

Centennial's staff not only believes in providing students with the best possible teaching experience, but also offers the best guidance and career advice.

Program Overview

Centennial College’s Law Clerk Diploma program is accredited by the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario (ILCO) and provides an excellent opportunity for students to acquire the skills necessary to practice in this field.

A wide variety of law courses, in conjunction with computer legal software courses, will fully prepare you for employment in the legal profession.

A unique feature of Centennial’s program is a four-day-per week work placement in the final semester. This work placement provides invaluable work experience and will allow you to apply your knowledge to real-life legal situations.

Admission Requirements

Centennial College expects students applying for admission to certificate or diploma programs to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

Academic Requirements

* Compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent
* Math 11C, M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent

Graduation Requirements

* Overall minimum GPA of 2.0
* Minimum C grade average
* Minimum C grade in COMM-170
* Minimum keyboarding speed of 40 wpm

The qualification requirements and costs for each external accreditation, designation, certification or recognition are set by the granting body and not by Centennial College. In order to qualify for any of those external accreditations, designations, certification or recognition, students and graduates will need to follow the processes and meet the applicable requirements listed on the websites and materials of those external bodies.


Source : Law Clerk Program, Centennial College, Toronto