14103 – Court clerks and related court services occupations

Lead statement

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.

Main duties

• Court clerks
• 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.
• Court officers
• 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.
• Court administrators
• 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.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• On-the-job training is provided for court officers, court clerks, and court liaison officers.
• Special Constable Certification may be required for court officers and court liaison officers.
• Court clerks and court officers may require a 1-2 year post-secondary diploma in office administration or equivalent.
• Court administrators usually require a 1-2 year post-secondary diploma, or may require a university degree in law, business administration, judicial administration, or related field.
• Some experience as a court clerks may be required for Court administrators.
• Experience in clerical services, administration and management, and personnel information systems may be required for court administrators.

Example job titles

clerk of process - courts · courtroom clerk · court clerk · court clerk-crier · county court clerk · judicial clerk · provincial court clerk · youth court clerk · criminal court clerk · clerk of proceedings - courts · prosecution clerk · court administrator · court services coordinator · court deputy administrator · court clerk supervisor · family court administrator · court officer · courtroom officer · court supervisor · judicial services administrator · Supreme Court clerk · small claims court supervisor · trial coordinator · judicial official · judicial officer - court administrative services · court liaison

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.