Why Pursue A Career As A Law Clerk?
November 11th, 2016 / By triOS College
Does this story sound familiar to you? Perhaps you’ve even been in a similar situation—with all the squabbling and confusion regarding tenancy law and other statutes, cases like these can become difficult to reach a decision on. That is why a good law clerk is always in demand for record-keeping, research, and assistance in legal decision-making processes.
Though judges, adjudicators, and justices of the peace have the final say in legal decisions, they do not make these decisions entirely on their own. Law clerks in various court settings aid decision-makers through legal determinations, researching relevant statutes, and helping to write opinions.
Unlike court clerks and courtroom deputies, who focus on administrative tasks, law clerks help judges and adjudicators directly to make decisions. Law clerks take on a more direct role with the decision-making process, and are an integral part of court procedures—they can either be responsible for a decision, or act as a “sober second thought” consulted by a prosecutor or judge.
To start your law career with a fully accredited and exhaustive program, take a look at triOS College’s 60-week Law Clerk program.
Substantive Law and Legal Proceedings – The Responsibilities of Law Clerks
Statutes, acts, legal codes, and various other legal texts can be difficult to navigate—people in legal professions must be adept at research, note-taking, and retaining information to find laws and regulations relevant to specific court cases and legal issues. Law clerks are responsible with fact-checking, research, and consulting various statutes to help provincial prosecutors, federal prosecutors, administrative tribunals, and courts come to final decisions regarding legal proceedings.
Law clerks must be familiar with substantive law, among other things—substantive law involves rights and duties outlined by provincial and federal statutes, and are applied to contract law, tort law, tenancy law, and provincial offences under statutes such as the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990. Clerks must also be familiar with statutes pertaining to family law, real estate, and civil litigation’s, which are some of the most common issues taken to court.
A Program That Covers All You Need to Know
For students wishing to enter a career as a law clerk, or for working professionals looking to change career paths and learn more about legal proceedings, triOS College’s Law Clerk program offers students a complete education in substantive law and administrative issues such as accounting and litigation.
Professional ethics also make up a large portion of the program—legal workers in all positions must uphold the Rules of Professional Conduct as established and regulated by the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC). These rules and guidelines ensure that all legal practitioners work in good faith and with the integrity necessary for fairness and good conduct.
Let’s Get Started
Furthermore, students have the option to take up a two-month internship in addition to the standard 52-week program. This option is recommended for students to obtain valuable real-world experience, and to witness first-hand how litigation and court procedures operate.
Contact triOS today for more information about our LSUC-accredited Law Clerk Specialist program!
Visit our Legal Assistant and Paralegal program pages to view more Law programs available with triOS College!