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
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