Court of Appeal – Law Clerk

Nova Scotia Barristers' Society; Nova Scotia; On-site; CAD 51,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

A legal society in Canada is seeking law clerks to assist the Court of Appeal with legal research and documentation. Candidates should be graduates from recognized law schools, with preference given to those admitted to the Bar. In 2025, salaries ranged from $51,451 for graduates not yet admitted to the Bar to $70,628 for those who were. The position offers 15 vacation days annually, with responsibilities including research and court assistance.

Benefits

15 vacation days per annum

Qualifications

• Must have graduated from a recognized law school.
• Preference for candidates admitted to the Bar of a province or territory in Canada.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal assistance to the Court of Appeal.
• Conduct detailed research and prepare memoranda of law.
• Review appeal materials and summarize evidence.

Skills

Research skills

Legal drafting

Communication skills

Education

Graduated from a recognized law school

Job description

The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal sits at the Law Courts at 1815 Upper Water Street in Halifax. The building is in the downtown core, overlooking Halifax Harbour. The clerks’ offices are situated on the 7th Floor, near the Judges’ Library and the office of the librarian.

Period of Employment

The period of employment is for one year starting in the summer of 2026.

Duties

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

• Conducting detailed research and preparing memoranda of law, as requested by the judges;
• Reviewing appeal materials in preparation for the hearing and, if requested, after the hearing to summarize evidence and prepare memoranda of law;
• Observing the handling of cases in the Court of Appeal and developing an understanding of the process;
• Assisting the Chambers judge and reviewing files before or after Chambers sessions, and providing research as required by the Chambers judge;
• Participating in office meetings and discussions with the judges, both individually and in groups, as determined by the judges;
• Involvement in 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 clerks may also be asked to provide administrative assistance to the Court, including:

• Supervising the work of part-time student clerks; and
• Providing coverage when the Publication Manager is out of the office, liaising with third-party legal publishers and reviewing, formatting and publishing decisions in the Courts’ online decision database.

Qualifications

All applicants must have graduated from a recognized law school. 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.

Salaries and Benefits

The salary and benefits for Court of Appeal law clerks in 2026/27 has not yet been confirmed. In 2025, a candidate who was admitted as a member of the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada made $70,627.86 per annum, while a law graduate not yet admitted to the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada made $51,451.00.

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.