Articling Position, 2013-2014: Divisional Court

Each year, two students are selected to work as judges' law clerks for the Superior Court of Justice -Divisional Court. This contract position fulfils the articling requirements of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Duties

Each year, two students are selected to work as judges' law clerks for the Superior Court of Justice – Divisional Court. These contract positions are intended for candidates who are seeking to fulfil the articling requirements of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Duties

The Divisional Court clerkships will appeal most to those candidates who would like to develop in-depth expertise in administrative, labour, constitutional, judicial review, and appellate legal issues. The Divisional Court is the main forum for legal challenges to government action. High profile cases include the same-sex marriage case, school closing cases across the province, a case challenging the “zero tolerance” regime for doctors who sexually abuse patients, the Polewsky case dealing with small claims court fees, and a variety of important environmental cases. The Divisional Court handles appeals from civil judgments under $50,000, and appeals and judicial reviews of decisions from a wide variety of Ontario tribunals dealing with human rights, securities regulation, welfare and social assistance, municipal law, landlord and tenant issues, commercial registration, and professional discipline of lawyers and health care professionals. The Divisional Court clerks provide legal research assistance to the judges assigned to the Divisional Court and prepare pre-hearing bench memoranda. This position provides a good opportunity for an articling student to observe the argument of appeals and judicial review applications in court and to consult directly with the judges involved.

Location

Toronto.

Qualifications

The Court seeks applicants who possess strong academic records, excellent legal research and writing skills, and the ability to produce high-quality work under strict deadlines. Bilingualism is an asset.

To apply

Please submit the following in triplicate to the address below by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27, 2012. Applications must be received by this date. We do not accept applications by email or by fax:

1. a cover letter;
2. a current curriculum vitae;
3. transcripts of undergraduate and law school marks (including first semester of second-year law);
4. one legal writing sample (maximum 15 pages); and
5. two letters of reference referring to your research and communication skills.

Interviews will take place in February/March 2012 either in person or, where necessary, by conference call. The Court does not pay travel costs to attend interviews. Please note that law clerks are contract employees of the Ministry of the Attorney General.

*Students interested in clerking at the Superior Court of Justice, but not specifically the Divisional Court, may apply for one of the 20 positions referred to in our separate advertisement. Candidates may apply for both Superior Court of Justice and Divisional Court positions. If you apply to both courts, please submit only one application but clearly indicate which positions you are applying for and your order of preference.

Send your application to:

The Manager of Legal Research, Superior Court of Justice, Office of the Chief Justice, 361 University Ave., Room 621, Toronto, ON, M5G 1T3, tel. 416-327-5005, fax 416-326-2224.