Becoming a court clerk in Canada requires a formal education and court clerk training in real-world settings. A post-secondary program in court support services can lead interested individuals to the right career path.
1. Becoming a Court Clerk in Canada
The court clerks are trained officials who serve justices and attorneys,
and perform a variety of tasks right from doing research on a case to
preparing arguments in favour of or against it, attending hearings and
preparing transcripts that serve as official records.
This is just one aspect of their job profile. The other aspect includes
communicating with the parties involved in a case, and providing them
with the required information whenever they need and explaining them
various court procedures. They also answer their questions and resolve
their queries regarding fines, court summons, trial dates, court
appearances, outstanding warrants, and sentence and release
documents.
The court clerks are also responsible for reviewing the law suits to ensure
their accuracy and authenticity. They also examine the documents
submitted to the court before, after or during case proceedings.
Employment Opportunities
Every year court clerks are hired by The Ministry of the Attorney General
(Ontario Court of Justice, Ontario Superior Court of Justice), municipal
courts, boards and tribunals, regional courts, court reporting services,
official examiners and judges and attorneys to help review applications,
research the cases and write their judicial opinions.
The courts, these days, regardless of the level they operate at, are facing
a problem of back log. The increasing number of pending court cases has
led to the increased need for professionals who can assist judges,
attorneys and court personnel in expediting the process of delivering
justice to the citizens.
The employment prospects are bright in this field. Despite this, getting a
decent paying job remains a challenge. However, a formal court clerk
training in Toronto can enhance the chances of seeking a good job and
building a rewarding career in legal and professional environments. For
more advanced career opportunities, the individuals may have to
undergo higher education after gaining substantial experience working in
courts and other professional settings.
2. But to enter the world of work, a post-secondary diploma in court
support services is the minimum requirement. And hands-on-skills
training further increases the likelihood of getting a decent paying job.
Court Support Services Programs in Toronto
Many colleges in Toronto offer post-secondary court support services
programs in Toronto. However, prospective applicants are recommended
to make a thorough research before enrolling into a course. This is
because not all colleges provide them with the legal and practical hands-
on learning in stimulated courtroom settings.
Centennial College’s one-year program in court support services
combines classroom learning and municipal court training in Toronto
through attendances in the family, criminal, small claims and municipal
court settings, attendances at various tribunal hearings and practical,
career-oriented assignments. The program prepares students for the
roles of court clerks, court monitors or court reporters.
The two-semester program lays emphasis on current issues in Canadian
law, ethics and professional conduct, court monitoring and working on
word processing applications. The program is taught by experienced
faculty members who work within the court systems.
Admission Requirements
Interested students can send their applications online, by mail or in
person along with application fee. They also need to submit their
secondary school diploma certificate or equivalent, and scores of English
Grade 12 C or University or equivalent. Students who do not meet this
criterion will need to take English skills assessment by the college.
