Law Clerk Program

Period of Employment

Clerkships begin in August 2025.

While clerkships usually last one year, successful applicants may be appointed for a period of one year or two years.

Applicants may indicate in their application whether they are willing to consider a term of two years.

The vast majority of clerkships will be for one year, and applicants will not be at a disadvantage if they are not available to serve for two years.

Salary and Benefits

The annual salary is currently set at $75,516. A fixed amount to assist with relocation expenses incurred upon relocation to and from Ottawa is provided to law clerks.

Law clerks occupy a term position in the federal Public Service and as such are entitled to the same benefits and conditions of employment as term employees.

Duties

Under the direction of a judge, a law clerk shall research points of law, prepare memoranda of law and generally assist the judge in the work of the Court. The work requires someone who demonstrates initiative and has the ability and willingness to occasionally work long hours under tight and competing deadlines.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor from a recognized Canadian university or its equivalent;

Notes: Not all law societies recognize service as a law clerk as fulfilling all or part of their articling requirements. 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 shall devote their full time and attention to the performance of their duties.  No time off is permitted to attend any bar admission course or examination which may occur during the period of employment.

Who Can Apply

Only persons holding Canadian citizenship or having permanent resident status in Canada or a work permit for Canada may 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 one official language is mandatory.  Bilingual positions requiring proficiency in both official languages are being staffed. Applicants are requested to indicate their level of proficiency for reading, writing and oral 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; and
• range of experience – legal and otherwise.

Applicants are free to indicate on their application if they belong to any of the groups designated under the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, i.e. women, aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. The Supreme Court of Canada is committed to achieving equitable representation of all employment equity designated groups throughout the organization.

Additional Requirements / Comments

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 developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Court in a timely manner of any accommodation measures that should be taken to ensure your access in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be treated confidentially.

How to Apply

All clerkship applications (including transcripts and letters of reference) must be filed online and must be received by January 19, 2024, 23:59 Pacific Time.

Applicants must submit the following documents:

1. A completed PDF application form; ^{Footnote 1}
2. A cover letter addressing all requirements stated on this posting; ^{Footnote 2}
3. A curriculum vitae; ^{Footnote 3}
4. Copies of transcripts for all post-secondary studies, including any post-graduate courses (except the law school official transcript) (in PDF format);
5. Official law school transcripts:

   The 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 electronic transcript providers are accepted and should be submitted by email to lcp-paj@scc-csc.ca.

6. 1 or 2 writing samples, between 5 and 10 pages in length, not co-authored and no facta; all pages must be numbered and include the applicant’s name;
7. Four letters of reference (included with the application OR submitted directly by a referee):

The letters of reference may be included with the applicant’s application or transmitted separately by the persons who have agreed to forward references. One of the four letters of reference may be from the current Dean of the faculty where the applicant obtained their law degree. One or more letters of reference should attest to the applicant’s academic excellence, effective interpersonal skills, ability to work under pressure and ability to work as part of a team. The letters of references should be addressed to Law Clerk Program Coordinator.

The completed application form, the cover letter, the curriculum vitae, copies of transcripts other than official law school transcript, writing sample(s) and letters of reference must be named using the following naming convention:

Documents	Naming Conventions	For example, if Alex Smith submits an application, he or she must name the documents as follows:
Application form:	LastName, FirstName - Form	Smith, Alex - Form
Cover letter:	LastName, FirstName - Letter	Smith, Alex - Letter
Curriculum vitae:	LastName, FirstName - CV	Smith, Alex - CV
Copies of transcripts:	LastName, FirstName - Transcript 1 (Transcript 2, Transcript 3, etc., if there is more than one transcript)	Smith, Alex - Transcript 1 Smith, Alex - Transcript 2
Writing sample(s):	LastName, FirstName - Writing Sample 1 (Sample 2 if there is more than one sample)	Smith, Alex - Writing Sample 1 Smith, Alex - Writing Sample 2
Signed letters of reference	LastName, FirstName - Reference - Referee’sLastName	Smith, Alex - Reference – Johnston

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their applications are complete and that all materials, including the four letters of reference, have been received by January 19, 2024, 23:59 Pacific Time.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Subject to any changes, the judges of the Court will conduct all interviews by MS Teams during the week of February 26th, 2024.  Applicants to be interviewed will be advised by e-mail or telephone. Applicants should therefore include in their materials an e-mail address and telephone number where they can be reached or a message can be left during the day.  All hiring will be completed by March 15, 2024. Unsuccessful interviewees will be advised by March 15, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Questions may be directed to:

Law Clerk Program Coordinator
Email address: lcp-paj@scc-csc.ca

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