Law Clerkship Program

Introduction

A Judicial Law Clerkship is a professional legal training and research program under which young law graduates and legal researchers are attached to judges of superior courts to assist them in judicial and constitutional work. Judicial law clerks primarily conduct legal research, analyze precedents, prepare bench memoranda, summarize case records, assist in comparative jurisprudence, and support judges in the administration of justice.

History

The concept of judicial clerkship was first systematically introduced in the United States during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. It became particularly prominent after Judge Horace Gray of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts and later the Supreme Court of the United States institutionalized the practice of employing talented law graduates as assistants in judicial work.

Following the success of the American model, several jurisdictions around the world gradually adopted judicial clerkship systems, including India, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and various constitutional courts in Europe.

In Pakistan, the judicial law clerkship system has existed for more than a decade. The program was introduced to enhance judicial research capacity and to expose young legal minds to constitutional adjudication and judicial functioning.

Recently, Hon’ble Chief Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan has undertaken important initiatives to further strengthen and institutionalize judicial functioning within the Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan, including the introduction of the Judicial Law Clerkship Programme in 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Conduct constitutional and comparative legal research, analyse complex legal questions, and prepare detailed briefs on legal and judicial matters.
2. Prepare bench memoranda, case summaries, legal opinions, and research notes in matters being heard before the Hon’ble Judges.
3. Review, edit, and proofread judgments, orders, speeches, reports, and institutional documents.
4. Assist the Hon’ble Judges in preparation of speeches, judicial talks, conference interventions, academic presentations, and institutional addresses.
5. Work as Rapporteur during judicial meetings, conferences, institutional engagements, and international delegations.
6. Assist Hon’ble Judges in official meetings, online and physical judicial dialogues, conferences, seminars, and international engagements.
7. Coordinate and facilitate national and international delegations, including protocol, legal coordination, briefing material, and institutional liaison.
8. Assist with the day-to-day judicial and administrative workload of the Chamber.
9. Travel to various Registries and Benches of the Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan along with the Hon’ble Judge, if required.
10. Carry out any other legal, judicial, research, administrative, or miscellaneous assignments entrusted by the Chamber.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Be a citizen of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
2. Hold an undergraduate degree in law (LL.B. or equivalent). Candidates possessing Bar-at-Law, LL.M., or other postgraduate legal qualifications may also apply.
3. Should be a member of the local bar in Pakistan.
4. Hold at least two (2) years of post-graduation professional experience in the legal or judicial field.
5. Apply within three (3) years from completion of the LL.B. degree or equivalent law degree.
6. Be of the age of 28 years or below at the time of applying.
7. Not be a direct relative of a sitting Judge of the Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan, Supreme Court of Pakistan, any High Court, Attorney General of Pakistan, or any Advocate General.

Remuneration

1. A monthly stipend of Rs. 185,000 shall be provided to successful candidates.
2. The length of the clerkship contract shall be one (1) year, subject to extension by the Law Clerkship Committee.
3. Any other instructions provided on the website, press release, or advertisement shall be an integral part of this application.

Application Guidelines

1. Please read the instructions carefully and submit the application completely along with all required documents.
2. Please write N/A where appropriate. Do not leave any part empty.
3. The application shall be submitted by July 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM. No further time will be granted.
4. For queries, email lawclerkship@fccp.gov.pk.

Instructions for Uploading Documents

Complete this online application form and upload the required documents in the designated tab. The documents shall include the Candidate’s CNIC, educational certificates, O-Level/Matriculation and A-Level/Intermediate certificates or equivalent Board certificates, university transcripts, graduation degree certificate, CV/Resume, volunteering experience certificates, certificates/awards, two reference letters out of which one must be professional, a Personal Statement, essay questions, and any other document upon which the Candidate seeks to rely in support of the application.

Subject to availability, additional documents such as post-graduation transcripts and degree certificates, bar licences/memberships, and other relevant supporting documents may also be uploaded.