Court of Appeal Articling Program
Articles of Clerkship with the Court of Appeal of Alberta
Each year, the Court of Appeal of Alberta invites applications for articling student positions in Edmonton and Calgary.
The Articling Program
Court of Appeal of Alberta articling students gain valuable insight into appellate reasoning and decision-making processes. Discussion and interaction among students, justices and legal counsel is encouraged and there is, generally, an open-door policy at the Court.
During the course of their articling term with the Court, students hone their legal research, analysis and writing skills and learn valuable lessons in the art of advocacy by observing counsel in court.
In fulfilling their duties, students are exposed to many areas of the law, including administrative, constitutional, contract, corporate and commercial, criminal, employment, family, tort and wills and estates law.
Duties
Articling students review application and appeal materials, research a broad range of legal issues and prepare pre- and post-hearing memoranda of fact and law. They may also be asked to review, edit and comment on draft reasons for judgments or application decisions, and/or assist justices with speeches and academic papers and presentations.
While articling with the Court of Appeal of Alberta, students must complete the Law Society of Alberta’s Education Plan. The Education Plan requires students to obtain practical experience, training and mentoring in key competency areas: ethics and professionalism; practice management; client relationship management; conducting matters; and adjudication and alternative dispute resolution.
Students are encouraged to complete the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP) administered by the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED) during their articling term with the Court.
Other Educational Opportunities
Students receive a comprehensive orientation to the Court of Appeal of Alberta and its legal research resources at the commencement of their articles.
Students also attend numerous tours and seminars during their articling term with the Court. The tours and seminars introduce students to the inner workings of the Alberta court system and review a broad range of practice areas. Justices and other court officials present most of the tours and seminars.
Resources
Although articled to a single justice, students will have an opportunity to work with most, if not all, of the justices of the Court of Appeal of Alberta. They are also encouraged to seek information and advice from the Court’s legal counsel and librarians.
Students have offices in the same areas as the justices and their staff. They have full access to judicial libraries, the Alberta Law Libraries and many online legal research resources.
Start Date and Term of Employment
The start dates vary. Generally, some students commence their employment at the beginning of June and some start at the beginning of August.
Students articled to a justice of the Court of Appeal of Alberta complete a ten-month term with the Court. In order to be admitted to the Alberta bar, they must also complete a five-month articling term with an Alberta lawyer.
Salary and Benefits
For students articling with the Court in 2024-2025, it is anticipated that the bi-weekly salary will be $2,043.35.
Students are entitled to 8.33 vacation days as well as additional days off with pay for illness. They are also eligible to participate in an Alberta government employee benefits program which includes: group life insurance, extended medical benefits, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance plans.
The Alberta government pays the students’ Law Society of Alberta application and admission, and PREP registration fees.
Qualifications
Articling students must have a Canadian common law degree or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Law Society of Alberta.
The Court of Appeal of Alberta seeks students of good character and reputation with strong academic records and well-developed legal research, analysis and writing skills. It hires individuals who are motivated and demonstrate an ability to produce high quality work under strict deadlines. Ideal candidates are good team players and capable of working well in a cooperative and collaborative work environment.
Other Requirements
Offers of employment made to articling students are conditional on the candidate passing a security screening.
As new employees of the Alberta government, students will be required to take and subscribe an oath. The text of the oath can be found in section 20 of the Public Service Act, RSA 2000, c P-42.
At all times during their articling term with the Court of Appeal of Alberta and afterwards, students must keep in confidence, and not disclose to anyone outside of the Court, anything relating to the work they do for the Court.
Further Information
For further information, please contact the Court of Appeal of Alberta's legal counsel and/or current articling students: