How to become a legal clerk
Perform clerical and operational tasks to ensure courts and court cases function properly.
What does a legal clerk do?
Legal clerks perform clerical and operational tasks to assist in the work of legal professionals. They may assist in court cases and help courts function properly, research legal practices and assist with administering trusts.
Duties and tasks
- Assist legal representatives with contracts, common law matters, certifications and other legal practice concerns.
- Manage trust funds, investing funds and directing them to proper accounts.
- Oversee court and hearing rooms and ensure that all present maintain order.
- Prepare and summons jury and witness list and swear them in before court proceedings.
- Process and serve court action documents including summonses, subpoenas and eviction notices.
- Record proceedings in courtroom, actions to be taken and court decisions.
- Set up entitlement claims and allocate resources; advise on legal matters.
Industry bodies
- Law Council of Australia
- Law Institute of Victoria
- Law Society of South Australia
- Law Society of Western Australia
- Queensland Law Society
Related jobs
- Conveyancer
- Court officer
- Lawyer
- Legal executive
- Legal practitioner
- Paralegal
- Settlement clerk
Discover online law courses
Undergraduate SCU-LAW-DEG
Postgraduate GRF-MIL-MAS
Undergraduate USQ-BAL-DEG
Discover online law subjects
Undergraduate UNE-LAW100
Undergraduate TAS-LAW191
Related degrees
Undergraduate UND-LAWS2510
Undergraduate TAS-LAW106
Related degrees
Step up your career with these resources
10 fascinating uni subjects that are open to everyone in 2025
Want to understand the psychology behind Trumpism? Push for better climate action? Or improve your cultural sensitivity in healthcare? These online subjects—and more!—are now accepting 2025 enrolments.
5 small business courses for self-starters
Whether you’re a small business owner or plotting away at a side hustle, there are many online business courses to choose from to help you get in touch with your entrepreneurial side and launch your ideas off the ground.
How to negotiate a higher salary
Not sure what to say when negotiating your salary? Follow these tips from career strategist Kelly Magowan next time you need to make your case with an employer.
Is a career in project management right for you?
Do you get a kick out of thinking big and getting things done? You could make a great project manager.
Together, we've got this
Your dedicated advisor will help you enrol, plan your studies and find confidence in the knowledge that you belong at university. They’ve helped thousands before you. Now it’s your turn.