Description

Court clerks and workers in related court services occupations perform administrative, security, and other support functions for courts of law such as scheduling trials, processing service fees, calling court to order, preparing court dockets and maintaining exhibits, recording trial proceedings and maintaining court records. They also facilitate court security and public safety, liaise with law enforcement organizations, and provide support to the judiciary. They are employed by federal, provincial, territorial and municipal courts and by police forces.

Job Titles

• Court administrator
• Court clerk
• Court clerk supervisor
• Court clerk-crier
• Court officer
• Criminal court clerk
• Judicial clerk
• Provincial court clerk

Main Duties

• Call courts of law to order, read charges, take pleas from defendants, swear in witnesses and perform other clerical functions in the courtrooms
• Prepare court files, court dockets and other documents
• Record main court proceedings, including pleas, names of witnesses, dates, times and rulings
• Manage care and custody of court exhibits
• Prepare documents for and participate in jury selection
• Update and maintain court office paper and electronic indexes and files on actions taken by court or in response to court decisions
• Receive, disburse and account for fines, fees and trust monies
• Assist the public in court offices.
• Stock courtrooms with necessary materials before trials
• Escort the judge to the courtroom
• Maintain the security and safety of the judge and courtroom
• Monitor proceedings and uphold the rules and procedures of the court
• Read charges and take pleas from defendants
• Transport prisoners to and from the court house and detention centres, psychiatric hospitals, police divisions, or elsewhere
• Maintain the security of prisoners in the cell area of courthouses and while escorting them to the courtrooms, or elsewhere
• Maintain prisoner records.
• Coordinate administrative services and establish work priorities for court staff
• Supervise court clerks and other court services occupations
• Schedule court trials, pre-trial conferences and hearings
• Oversee the maintenance of judicial court records
• Assist in preparing annual budgets
• May assist in the management of personnel, operations, and the court facilities.

Workplaces

• Federal courts
• Municipal courts
• Provincial or territorial courts

Skills

• Monitoring
• Oral Communication: Active Listening
• Oral Communication: Oral Comprehension
• Oral Communication: Oral Expression
• Time Management

Abilities

• Auditory Attention
• Near Vision
• Selective Attention
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition

Personal Attributes

• Attention to Detail
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Concern for Others
• Social Orientation

Similar Occupations

• Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations (12110)
• Sheriffs and bailiffs (43200)
• Judicial assistant; Administrative assistant – judicial (in 13111.00 Legal administrative assistants)
• Law clerk (in 42200.01 Paralegals)

Source: OaSIS