How to Apply

Applicants must mail or hand-deliver a hard copy (on paper) of their official sealed transcript of marks from law school. The Court also requires copies (paper or electronic) of your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a cover letter, and three signed letters of reference from three different individuals. If submitting the reference letters electronically by email, the letters must be signed, in PDF format, and submitted by the person providing the reference, not the applicant. Alternatively, the applicant can mail or hand-deliver hard copies (on paper) of the original signed letters of reference.

Deadline for Applications

Please note that the 2024/25 Supreme Court clerkship position has been filled. Stay tuned for information in the coming months on the call for applications for the 2025/26 term.  

Place of Work

The clerk for the Supreme Court works out of the Law Courts at 1815 Upper Water Street in Halifax. The building is in the downtown core, overlooking Halifax Harbour. The clerk's office is located on the 6th Floor, near the offices and workspaces of the judges and judicial assistants. 

Period of Employment

The period of employment is for one year, typically starting in August or September. The term is renewable.

Duties

The primary duty of the law clerk is to provide legal assistance to the Justices of the Supreme Court on a variety of legal subjects. Other duties include:

• Conducting detailed research and preparing memoranda of law, as requested by the judges;
• Reviewing files, both before and after hearings, and preparing preliminary briefings on points of law;
• Assisting the Chambers Judge and reviewing files in preparation for Chambers sessions, including any research that may be required by the Chambers Judge;
• Participating in office meetings and discussions with the judges, both individually and in groups, as determined by the judges;
• Assisting with the organization and coordination of special study projects on certain points of law; and 
• Assisting in the preparation of materials for judges’ seminars and related issues.

The law clerk is also expected to provide administrative assistance to the Supreme Court, including:

• Managing the database of written court decisions, on a relief basis;
• Supervising the work of the part-time student clerks; and 
• Serving as the back-up manager of publications for the release of written court decisions.

Qualifications

All applicants must have graduated from a recognized law school in Canada. Preference will be given to candidates who are admitted as a member of the Bar of a province or territory of Canada; however, all interested graduates are encouraged to apply. The ability to read and work in French is not essential but considered an asset.

Salary and Benefits

The salary and benefits for law clerks working with the Supreme Court are as follows:

In 2023, a candidate who was admitted as a member of the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada made $68,198.00 per annum.

Except as provided by agreement or by the Labour Standards Code of Nova Scotia or other applicable legislation, law clerks are not entitled to any benefits and do not come within the Civil Service Act or other legislation relating to persons in the public service. Law clerks will receive 15 vacation days per annum.