Newmarket – Provincial Court – Criminal Law
This Judicial Internship allows students to work under the supervision of an Ontario Court Judge in Newmarket, Ontario. Students will take direction from the Judge on their assignments which will include: legal research in relation to specific, practical legal problems, courtroom observations and critical reflection, legal writing in the form of Bench Briefs and/or Memos, and day-to-day assistance with the legal work of the Court. Students interested in criminal, family, child protection, or litigation work will particularly benefit from this Judicial Internship. This Judicial Internship is available in both Fall and Winter terms. Please note that students are expected to provide their own transportation to and from the Internship placement.
Students are required to spend one day per week at the court house (Fridays). Some flexibility may be possible in arranging for two mornings or two afternoons per week instead of a full-day or in completing assignments at the law school library. However, any such alternative arrangements must be approved by the Court. It is expected that the student will spend approximately eight hours per week at the Court House. Students are given the title of Intern to the Regional Senior Judge of the Provincial Court. Students report to the Supervising Judge when they attend at the Court House and receive all of their assignments from him/her. However, when working on assignments from other judges, they discuss the matter directly with the judge for whom the work ultimately is being done. The Supervising Judge is the student’s point of contact with the Court. When the Supervising Judge is not available, interns are expected to show initiative and seek out assignments from other judges who are in the office. The Externship Director, or another staff member assigned to the course, will oversee the internship and liaise with the Court on matters relating to the operation of the course and the students’ performance. The Supervising Judge will meet with the student interns at the beginning of each term to acquaint them with the Court and to outline their duties. Throughout the term, the Supervising Judge will monitor the students’ work to ensure that they are engaged in research activities that advance their knowledge of the law and the work of the Court. In addition, the Supervising Judge will ensure that the students’ workload is appropriate for the one-day a week commitment required for the clerkship. Students will be expected to keep a log of their work for review by the Supervising Judge and the Externship Director or other faculty member assigned to the course.
Criminal Procedure and Evidence, one or both, may be taken as co-requisites. There are no anti-requisites. Students cannot simultaneously complete a for-credit clinic placement or another externship placement during their time at the Court.