Judges Clerks, Senior Courts - 2027 | Multiple Locations

Job Description

We encourage students with a very high level of academic ability and proficiency in legal research, who will complete their undergraduate law degree studies in 2026, to apply for a position as a Judges' Clerk in the senior courts. 

These positions are available in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the High Court of New Zealand starting from January 2027. The appointments are for a two-year fixed term. Appointees are expected to  remain in the role for the full duration of the two-year term unless prior dispensation is granted in exceptional circumstances. 

Some positions may be available earlier than 2027. Applicants who could start early to mid-2026 should indicate this in their covering letter.

Positions in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal are based in Wellington. Positions in the High Court are based in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Candidates should indicate in their covering letter their preferred location(s) and specify any locations where they would be unable to accept a position.

Applicants are required to submit only one application, irrespective of the number of locations for which they wish to be considered.

Effective 26 February 2026, the starting salary for Judge's Clerks at all levels is $69,845 per annum, progressing in six-monthly increments to $74,115 after six months, $78,409 after twelve months, and $81,272 after eighteen months of service.   

Application Deadline

15 February 2026

Applications must be submitted through the Ministry of Justice careers website no later than 15 February 2026. 

Application Process

Applicants must complete the following steps to be eligible for consideration.

• Hold or be in the final stages of completing a law degree.
• International applicants must complete any required conversion papers and obtain the relevant work authorisation in New Zealand before applying.
• Submit all required documentation and information outlined in the Application Content Checklist below via the Ministry of Justice careers website.
• Forward a copy of your application to the Dean of your Law School.
• Include referee contact details in your CV. Referees will be contacted to assess your suitability for appointment.  

In addition to contacting the nominated referees, confidential input on academic ranking and other attributes may be sought from law school deans and academic staff.  Applicants must provide names and contact details in their CV.

Applications will be forwarded to the judges who administer the recruitment process on behalf of the respective courts. 

Application Content Checklist

Applicants must submit the following documents:

• A brief covering letter outlining what attracts you to this role, why you believe you would be a strong candidate. In your covering letter, you should also specify your preferred location(s) (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch) and where you would not be able to accept a position.
• A curriculum vitae that is 2-3 pages in length.
• An academic transcript – this can be a certified digital transcript or an unofficial transcript.  
• A significant piece of legal writing, complete and no more than 50 pages. 

Applicants must include the following information in their CVs:

Personal Details

• Full name
• Contact details
• Optional photograph - While not required, applicants may include a photograph. As interviews are conducted via Microsoft Teams, a photo can help with visual recognition throughout the interview process. Inclusion is optional and does not affect application evaluation.

Academic Details

• University
• Degrees attained or in progress
• GPA for law, excluding Year 1
• Relevant awards, competitions and class ranking
• Relevant research and publications

Professional Experience

• Work experience
• Volunteer experience

Additional Information 

• Extracurricular interests
• Other relevant information

Referees

• One or two academic referees
• One or two legal employer referees if available (barrister/partner preferably, not HR)

Shortlisting and Interviews

Early to late March 2026.

Shortlisted candidates for positions with the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal will be interviewed in the week of 2 March 2026, with offers of appointment to those positions made shortly thereafter. 

Applicants who are not offered or do not accept a position in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal may be considered for an interview for a High Court position.  

Interviews for those positions will be conducted in the week of 23 March 2026, with offers of appointment to those positions made shortly thereafter.  

Unsuccessful candidates will be notified by mid-April 2026.

All interviews are conducted via virtual meeting room (VMR). 

The Roles

Positions as Judges' Clerks in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal principally involve working with a single judge, although clerks may also undertake work of a more general character for other judges of those Courts.  In the High Court, clerks typically work with two judges, although some may be assigned to a single judge. Some High Court clerks may be asked to travel on circuit with their judges. 

The role of Judges' Clerk is to undertake legal research at the direction of the judge or judges to whom they are allocated. Clerks prepare written legal opinions and collate authorities on specific points of law. They provide comments to judges on draft judgments and proofread those judgments for error before delivery. Clerks also write summaries of recent court decisions and provide analysis of issues arising in particular appeals or first instance hearings undertaken by the judges of the courts in which they work. They may also assist with the preparation of speeches and undertake some administrative tasks for their judges. 

Many participants in the court system are vulnerable, and many experience the effects of intergenerational trauma. This can be distressing. Potential candidates should be aware that some of the material clerks are required to work on may be graphic and confronting, particularly in the criminal jurisdiction. Support services are available to assist clerks in managing exposure to such material.

When recruiting clerks, the judges will be looking, as far as is consistent with the attributes necessary for the role, to make diverse appointments, including diversity of background, experience, and subject knowledge.  The attributes the judges will be looking for include:

• A high level of academic ability.
• Proficiency in legal research, although an Honours degree is not essential.
• Commitment to upholding human rights and dignity, including gender, ethnic, socio-economic, and cultural equity.
• Cultural competence, including knowledge of and a commitment to Te Tiriti and an understanding of tikanga.
• A sound understanding of the role of the judiciary within the constitution of Aotearoa New Zealand, and the importance of judicial independence.
• An absolute commitment to confidentiality.
• Strong organisational skills and proven ability to prioritise and manage workflows.
• The ability to handle important relationships with skill and sensitivity.
• A professional and focused approach to work.
• An ability to cope with stress.
• Self-motivation and initiative.
• The ability to grasp unfamiliar concepts quickly.
• Lateral and critical thinking ability.
• The ability to work co-operatively with colleagues and court staff.
• The ability and commitment to produce quality work consistently and often under tight deadlines.
• A broad legal education, preferably including Evidence and Company Law.