A court clerkship is when part of the articling term is served with a court or judge under section 38(2) of the Act.

When you choose this option, until January 1, 2023 the term of your articles with the courts and firm must add up to 11-15 months (see this article for April 2020 changes to articling term). At least three of these months must be spent articling with a principal who is an active member of the Law Society and otherwise qualifies under the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta. Starting January 1, 2023, a complete term of articles when clerking with the court returns to 15 months (see this article for details on the changes to the articling term, including how PREP integrates). At least five of these months must be spent articling with a principal who is an active member of the Law Society and otherwise qualifies under the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta.

To apply for a court clerkship, complete the online application process through the Lawyer Portal by submitting an Application for Admission as a Student-at-Law and an Articling Agreement Application.

After you have completed or are nearing the end of your clerkship and have obtained a new articling position with an active/practising member of the Law Society, submit a new Articling Agreement Application through the Lawyer Portal. The judge or justice that you completed your clerkship with must certify the clerkship by submitting a specialized Certificate of Principal (Form 2-12/2-13).