Judicial Law Clerks
Judicial law clerks assist judges in court by conducting research or preparing legal documents.
Judicial law clerks are full-time assistants to judges and perform a wide range of tasks, including legal research, drafting of memoranda and court opinions, proofreading, and cite-checking.
There is no concise job description for a judicial clerk. One may conduct research, write bench memoranda, draft documents, etc. Sometimes they draft opinions for the judge, which is highly rewarding, as they can discuss extremely important issues with the judges to get to the core of the case.
What do law clerks do? They perform administrative tasks such as docketing, maintenance of the desk and library of the judge, and assembling documents? and ensure error-free orders or judgements. Legal clerks do research work requiring strong research and writing skills, read case files, make notes, and prepare very concise summaries.
To be eligible for a law clerk's salary, the judicial clerk must be a law graduate having knowledge of computers, and skills in using legal research tools.
A judicial clerkship is a practical and rewarding learning opportunity, as candidates get to learn the court procedure, understand how judges function so that they can be better lawyers, and see the modus-operandi of top lawyers first-hand.
Judicial clerkship bridges the gap between law school and the practice of law. How much do law clerks make? Successful candidates make the most out of it, by asking questions and advice?
To succeed, legal clerks need to put in their best, as they assist the highest courts of the country in extremely significant matters.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- LLM Master of Laws
- LLB Bachelor of Legislative Law
- B.Com+LLB Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Legislative Law
- B.Sc.+LLB Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Legislative Law
- Bachelor's Any Subject
Tasks
- Attend court sessions to hear oral arguments or record necessary case information.
- Communicate with counsel regarding case management or procedural requirements.
- Confer with judges concerning legal questions, construction of documents, or granting of orders.
- Draft or proofread judicial opinions, decisions, or citations.
- Keep abreast of changes in the law and inform judges when cases are affected by such changes.
- Participate in conferences or discussions between trial attorneys and judges.
- Prepare briefs, legal memoranda, or statements of issues involved in cases, including appropriate suggestions or recommendations.
- Research laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, or other information related to cases before the court.
- Review complaints, petitions, motions, or pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved or basis for relief.
- Review dockets of pending litigation to ensure adequate progress.
Progression Routes
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