Judicial clerks provide paralegal support in provincial and federal courts in Alberta.

Judicial clerks perform many office functions as well as court duties. In general, their administrative duties include:

• reviewing and filing pleadings, petitions and other documents relevant to court actions
• contacting witnesses, lawyers and litigants (parties of a law suit) to obtain information for the court
• searching files to answer inquiries and to obtain information for the court
• answering inquiries from the general public regarding judicial procedures, court appearances, trial dates, adjournments, outstanding warrants, summonses, subpoenas, witness fees and payment of fines
• entering court results in computer systems
• assessing court fees according to an established schedule and keeping financial records.

Judicial clerks usually are assigned to a particular court such as Court of Queen's Bench or Provincial Court or to a particular courtroom. Some judicial clerks travel with the circuit court to a variety of locations throughout Alberta where court is held. Depending on the type of court, the number of cases scheduled may range from one to several hundred in one day.

Judicial clerks have a variety of responsibilities before, during and after court proceedings. Specific responsibilities vary depending on the type of court but, in general, judicial clerks are responsible for the following activities prior to court:

• prepare and review files
• ensure all the proper documents have been submitted
• retrieve from storage all applicable exhibits (evidence)
• prepare the courtroom with paper, pens, water, easels (if necessary) and electronic equipment
• ensure recording equipment is working.

Judicial clerks are present at all court proceedings where they:

• open court and call the court to order
• read the charges and related information to the court and, if necessary, record the defendant's plea
• amend indictments when necessary and endorse indictments with pertinent information
• swear in jury members, interpreters, witnesses and accused
• record final dispositions
• conduct roll calls and poll jurors
• swear in witnesses and interpreters
• ensure the security of exhibits (for example, money, drugs, negotiable bonds, weapons)
• accurately record proceedings by using recording equipment.

After court is adjourned for the day, judicial clerks:

• prepare documents that record the outcome of proceedings
• secure exhibits and the courtroom
• prepare and issue orders of the court including probation orders, release documentation, sentencing information and summonses
• enter proceeding results.

Depending on the size of the community, judicial clerks may perform all of the above duties or work in co-operation with other judicial clerks. In rural communities, judicial clerks may be responsible for providing support for the circuit court. While on circuit, they are responsible for all areas and required to exercise independent judgment, calling the base court for direction if required.

Judicial clerks work in court and office settings. They work with judges, lawyers, witnesses, jurors, litigants, social workers and the general public. Because their duties bring them into contact with those accused of crimes, they must follow personal safety and security procedures. When present in court, judicial clerks are constantly exposed to the negative aspects of society and must be able to maintain a professional distance.

Overtime is not unusual in this occupation. It is not always easy to predict when court will adjourn and judicial clerks perform after court responsibilities prior to leaving for the day. They often work under intense pressure to complete documentation and meet deadlines. Travel is required for those who have circuit court responsibilities.

Requirements for employment as a judicial clerk include a high school diploma (or equivalent) and related experience in customer service or a legal setting. Graduation from a related post-secondary education program may be recognized as a substitute for the required work experience. A working knowldge of computers and good typing skills are essential.

In their first year of employment, judicial clerks receive in-house paralegal or Court of Queen's Bench paralegal training to further develop their skills.

In Alberta, the following institutions offer Legal Assistant or Paralegal programs:

• Bow Valley College in Calgary offers a two year Legal Assistant diploma program. The entrance requirement is high school diploma with English Langauge Arts 30-1 or 30-2 and a Grade 10 math (excluding the 14 and 16 levels) or equivalent.  
• The CDI College of Business, Technology and Healthcare,  a private vocational school located in Calgary and Edmonton, offers a 54 week Professional Legal Assistant program. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton offers a two year Legal Assistant diploma program that is also available part-time (evenings). The entrance requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent with English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2 and a keyboard entrance test (30 words per minute or better). 
• Red Deer College offers a two year Legal Assistant diploma program. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, and an essay. 
• Reeves College, a private vocational school in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge and Lloydminster, offers a 65 week Paralegal program. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma with a Grade 12 English and a Grade 10 math, or equivalent.  
• The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary offers a two year Legal Assistant diploma program. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent with English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2. SAIT also offers this program through Continuing Education.

For information about related legal administrative assistant programs, see the Legal Secretary occupational profile.

For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites. Continuing education programs may be offered on an as needed basis.

Prior to enrolling in a formal training program, prospective students should investigate the suitability of the program and current employment prospects for graduates.

In Alberta, judicial clerks are employed by the provincial or federal government. Advancement is based on completion of departmental paralegal training, performance and experience. A minimum of six years of work and supervisory experience is generally required to reach the highest classification level for judicial clerks.

Judicial clerks are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 4211: Paralegal and Related Occupations. In Alberta, 88 per cent of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
• Public Administration.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next ten years.

According to the 2007 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Paralegal and Related Occupations group working part-time or full-time earned from $27,700 to $55,700 a year. The average salary was $42,500 a year.

Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above)

EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo