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There are a variety of jobs in the Canadian justice system that ensures it runs efficiently at all times. For example, tasks such as searching for and studying legal documents to investigate facts and law of cases to determine causes of action and to prepare cases; preparing affidavits of documents and maintaining document files and case correspondence; researching and analyzing law sources to prepare drafts of briefs or arguments for review, approval, and use by attorney; reviewing and filing pleadings, petitions and other documents relevant to court actions; and more falls to the Law Clerk. At Centennial College’s program of the same name, students spend two years becoming familiar with the know-how they need to complete these tasks. The offering is accredited by the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario (ILCO), which supports the highest professional standards by providing opportunities to innovate, share ideas and knowledge of best practices. As such, Centennial College students benefit from a curriculum that includes both practical and theoretical law lessons, with an emphasis on career-oriented assignments. Also included are legal software courses, which fully prepare students for employment in the legal profession by introducing them to the tools they will use on a regular basis. Among specific courses in this offering are: Civil Litigation (traces the steps in a typical civil action from the commencement of proceedings to the point of trial, which readies students to prepare documentation for pleadings, affidavits and motions); Family Law (helps students to understand the family’s legal rights and obligations and how to assist a lawyer in proceedings related to separation, division of property, support payments, custody and access privileges, and divorce); Computers for Law Clerks (one of the program’s more practical courses, this feature builds keyboarding skills and familiarizes students with introductory computer concepts such as microcomputer operating systems, file management, e-mail and the internet. Emphasis is also placed on building written and verbal communications and critical thinking skills); and many others. In their fourth semester, once students have become familiar and comfortable with many aspects of the law, they partake in a Work Placement with a firm or legal department of government or business. This four-day-per week experience provides invaluable hands-on practice and allows students to apply their knowledge to real-life legal situations. To apply for the Law Clerk diploma offering, interested parties must have successfully acquired an
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or have mature student status (19 years or older). In addition, they must have English Grade 12 C or U credit, or equivalent or take the Centennial College English Skills Assessment for Admission; and the Mathematics Grade 11 or 12 C, M or U credit, or equivalent or take a Centennial College Math Skills Assessment for Admission. In this piece, Jason focuses on the Law Clerk program at Centennial College as well as the specific tasks that students will take on once they successfully complete the two-year offering and enter the field.
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