Players in the court system
Court clerk
The clerk is the court officer responsible for a court’s administrative services. The clerk's role is to provide a link between you, as a member of the public, and the various court officials, such as the judge or special clerk. For this purpose, the clerk receives the documents you are required to file, for example as the plaintiff or defendant in a case.
The clerk’s duties are to:
- receive the pleadings, documents and exhibits that must be filed by parties and witnesses;
- verify that the record is complete and meets the legal requirements;
- swear in witnesses;
- record everything said and done during the hearing.
Clerks work in all the courts in Québec's court system.
In some circumstances, a clerk may be appointed as a justice of the peace by the Minister of Justice in order to exercise certain powers.
Last update: November 21, 2025
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