New Brunswick Courts

Articling Program - Clerkship Opportunities

Each year, the Court of Appeal retains the services of two law graduates, who work as law clerks under the direct supervision of the Chief Justice of New Brunswick. While the successful candidates work closely with the Chief Justice, they also work with the other members of the Court. The work of a law clerk includes preparing a synopsis of cases to be heard during the month, researching legal issues, writing legal memoranda, editing draft reasons for judgment and assisting in the preparation of speeches and papers to be presented by members of the Court. Clerks are given the opportunity to attend appeal hearings and can thus follow the history of an appellate case, from the parties’ legal submissions to the issuance of a judgment. Clerks may also assist the individual judges with respect to motions that are processed and heard each month. As the Court of Appeal is a generalist court, its law clerks are exposed to a broad range of legal issues in both the civil and criminal spheres. In addition, clerks are allowed time off to work in a law office.

Why Clerk with the Court of Appeal?

Working at the Court of Appeal permits law graduates to acquire experience with both practice and substantive issues. Law clerks receive hands-on and daily exposure to both trial and appellate procedure and soon learn those qualities that are essential to effective appellate advocacy. The opportunity for law clerks to attend at appeal hearings enables them to distinguish between effective and ineffective advocacy, while being exposed to a broad range of contemporary legal issues. Equally significant is the opportunity for law clerks to work closely with individual judges and to witness the appellate process, from beginning to end. This experience provides law clerks with a solid foundation on which to build their legal careers. A clerkship with the Court of Appeal provides a unique opportunity to participate in the judicial process.

Law Society Admission Requirements

A clerkship with the Court of Appeal of New Brunswick meets the Bar Admission requirements imposed by the Law Society of New Brunswick. In addition, other provincial law societies recognize service with the Court of Appeal as fulfilling all or part of the student’s articling requirements. Candidates should verify this with the Law Society of the jurisdiction where they will be seeking admission.

Salary and Benefits

Law clerks earn $39,999.70 per year and are reimbursed their tuition fees for the Bar Admission Course. After six months of service with the Court of Appeal, clerks achieve employee status under the Civil Service Act of New Brunswick and, as such, are entitled to the benefits that are generally available to all civil servants, including optional health and dental insurance coverage. This status also allows law clerks to apply for internal competitions, which are not open to members of the public.

Place of Work

The Court of Appeal sits in the Justice Building, in downtown Fredericton, close to the universities and other public institutions. Law clerks are required to work on site.

Period of Employment

Typically, clerkships with the Court of Appeal are for a one-year period from June 1 to May 31.

Qualifications/Requirements

Each successful applicant must have obtained a law degree from a recognized Canadian law school, or such other institution as the Chief Justice recognizes as an “equivalent.” Applicants must be able to work easily in one of the province’s official languages. Students who can work in both are encouraged to apply. 

Application Procedure

Written applications will be received from students in their second year of law studies for the position of law clerk to the Chief Justice of New Brunswick. Applications should reach the Chief Justice no later than the end of January. Candidates must forward a curriculum vitae; official transcripts of law school marks and copies of transcripts for all other post-secondary studies; three letters of reference, two of which must be from persons who are familiar with the candidate’s academic work; a letter explaining why the candidate is seeking the position; and one or more recent samples of legal writing. All applications are to be addressed to:


TThe Honourable J.C. Marc Richard
Chief Justice of New Brunswick
Justice Building
427 Queen Street
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, N.B. E3B 5H11

Interview Process

Qualified candidates will be invited to an interview with the Chief Justice and/or other members of the Court of Appeal. Interviews are traditionally conducted during the months of February and/or March. A decision follows within a few weeks.