Law Clerk Recruitment
We will shortly be starting the process of recruiting law clerks for the Lord President and the Inner House. You can find out here more about what a law clerk does and why you should consider applying.
What is a law clerk?
A law clerk is a legally qualified assistant who provides support to the Scottish senior judiciary in the performance of their judicial and extra-judicial functions. In relation to judicial work, a law clerk provides legal assistance to the judiciary on cases calling in the appeal courts. Extra-judicially, law clerks carry out legal research for incorporation into speeches and, when required, special projects. There are four law clerk roles: law clerk to the Lord President; law clerk to the Lord Justice Clerk; law clerk to the Inner House; and law clerk to the Sheriff Appeal Court.
Why apply to be a law clerk?
The law clerk role provides a unique opportunity to work with the senior judiciary.
Working as a law clerk is regarded highly by law firms, the Faculty of Advocates and employers. Law clerks have typically gone on to have successful careers at the Bar, in solicitors’ firms and as in-house lawyers in the public sector. Some have gone on to hold judicial office themselves.
What do law clerks do?
Law clerks assist in the preparation of civil and criminal appeal hearings by conducting research into areas of the law relevant to the case and, after considering the case papers and written submissions, by providing a comprehensive briefing note to the bench. Responsibilities also include preparing draft text setting out the factual and procedural background of the case in a clear and succinct manner for possible inclusion in the final opinion of the court and noting arguments presented in court. Law clerks also attend hearings, take notes in the proceedings and carry out any further research that is required.
Many of the judges have extra-judicial functions. An additional role of law clerks is therefore to conduct research for the purposes of drafting speeches for judges to deliver at conferences and other events.
To find out more and hear from current law clerks on their experiences in the role, please watch this video.
Eligibility Criteria
Honours degree in Scots law (2:1 or above).
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice.