Law Clerk program

Every year, judges of the Supreme Court of Canada select up to 3 law clerks each to assist them in researching points of law, preparing memoranda of law and to help them with other tasks related to their work at the Court. They are looking for recent graduates in strong academic standing with excellent research and writing skills in either or both official languages. If you are passionate about law, like to take initiative and have the ability and willingness to occasionally work long hours under tight and competing deadlines, the law clerk position could align with your professional goals.

The Supreme Court of Canada hires up to 27 law clerks each year to support its 9 judges. Through this process, a pool of qualified candidates may also be established to staff similar positions.

General information

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor from a recognized Canadian university or its equivalent. You are not required to have completed the degree when you apply for the position, but you must have done so before starting at the Court.

If you went to law school outside of Canada, please visit the following site: Foreign Credential Validation against Canadian Standards - Canada.ca

Note: Experience as a law clerk does not necessarily fulfill the articling requirements for all law societies. Applicants are responsible for checking articling requirements with the law society of the jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission to the practice of law. Law clerks must devote their full time and attention to their duties and are not permitted to take any time off to attend bar admission courses or examinations during their period of employment.

Who can apply?

You must be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident status in Canada or a work permit for Canada to apply.

Applicants must indicate in their application the basis on which they are entitled to work in Canada.

Preference will be given to persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and permanent residents abroad. Applications made by persons who are not permanent residents or Canadian citizens are accepted; however, if there are sufficient qualified applicants who are permanent residents or Canadian citizens, the selection will be confined to those applicants.

Selection criteria

Proficiency in 1 official language is required. In addition to unilingual positions, bilingual positions requiring proficiency in both official languages are being staffed. You need to indicate your level of proficiency for reading, writing and oral expression in both official languages.

Applicants will be selected for further assessment based on a combination of criteria including:

• letters of recommendation
• academic excellence
• ability to work as part of a team
• ability to work under pressure
• effective interpersonal skills
• language skills
• range of experience – legal and otherwise
• prior clerking experience will be considered as an asset

The federal public service is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. The Supreme Court of Canada is committed to achieving equitable representation of all employment equity designated groups throughout the organization and encourages you to indicate on your application if you belong to any of the groups designated under the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, including women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities.

Additional requirements

Appointment is conditional on a willingness by the applicant to undergo and successfully pass a security clearance at a Secret Level. The Supreme Court of Canada is responsible for having the security clearance carried out.

Appointment is conditional on a willingness by the applicant to sign and abide by a Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Declaration.

In accordance with the Public Service Employment Act, S.C. 2003, Part 4, s. 54, appointment to the public service is conditional upon the swearing of an oath or the making of a solemn affirmation by the applicant. The text of the oath or affirmation can be found in the legislation.

The Supreme Court of Canada is committed to having inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If you are contacted about a job opportunity or an interview, you should advise the Court in a timely manner of any accommodation measures you require in order to participate fairly and equitably. Please send all accommodation requests to the Law Clerk Program Coordinator by email: lcp-paj@scc-csc.ca as soon as possible. Information received about accommodation measures will be treated confidentially.

How to apply

You must file your clerkship application (including transcripts and letters of reference) online by January 15, 2025 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

You must submit the following documents:

1. A completed PDF application form
   • If you have problems opening the form using your internet browser, save the form and open it with a PDF reader instead.
   • The Court will communicate with you by email or telephone, so ensure that the contact information you provide in the application form includes a phone number where you can be reached or a voicemail can be left during the day.
2. A cover letter addressing all requirements stated on this posting
   • If you are submitting a copy of your cover letter in both English and French, include both versions in 1 document.
   • The cover letter must be addressed to the Honourable Justices.
3. A curriculum vitae
   • If you are submitting a copy of your curriculum vitae in both English and French, include both versions in 1 document.
4. Copies of transcripts for all post-secondary studies, including any post-graduate courses (except the law school official transcript)
   • Submit transcripts in PDF format.
5. Official law school transcripts

   • Official law school transcripts must be sent directly by the university, either by email to lcp-paj@scc-csc.ca or by mail at the following address:

     Law Clerk Program Coordinator
     Supreme Court of Canada
     301 Wellington Street
     Ottawa, ON K1A 0J1

     Note: Secure digital transcripts issued directly by third-party accredited providers are accepted and should be submitted by email to lcp-paj@scc-csc.ca.

6. 2 writing samples, between 5 and 10 pages in length each, authored entirely by the applicant. If you are proficient in both official languages, you must provide 1 writing sample in English and 1 in French. All pages must be numbered and include the applicant’s name. Factums produced for court proceedings or a moot court are not accepted.
7. 4 letters of reference
   • Letters of reference can be included with your application or submitted directly by the person providing the reference.
   • 1 of the 4 letters of reference may be from the Dean of the faculty where you obtained your law degree.
   • 1 or more letters of reference must attest to your academic excellence, effective interpersonal skills, ability to work under pressure and ability to work as part of a team.
   • Letters of reference must be addressed to the Honourable Justices and signed by the person providing the reference.
   • If possible, letters of reference should be written on official letterhead.

Naming convention

Please use the naming convention in the table below for your completed application form, cover letter, curriculum vitae, copies of transcripts other than official law school transcript, writing samples and letters of reference:

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their applications are complete and that all materials, including the 4 letters of reference, have been received by January 15, 2025. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

We thank all applicants for their interest in the program. Only applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted. The judges of the Court will conduct all interviews by MS Teams during the week of February 24, 2025. You will be advised by email or telephone if you are selected for an interview. All hiring will be completed by March 14, 2025.

FAQ and contact information

For more information about the Court’s Law Clerk Program and the clerkship application process, please consult the Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on the Court’s website.

For any other questions, contact the Law Clerk Program Coordinator: lcp-paj@scc-csc.ca.