Court Secretary: What the Job Really Involves

If you’ve ever sat through a hearing and wondered who keeps the paperwork, schedules, and records in order, that’s often the court secretary. This job is the backbone of daily court work. You’ll handle filings, prepare dockets, assist judges and lawyers, and make sure hearings run on time.

Court secretaries aren’t just paper pushers. They manage sensitive records, deal with the public, and use case-management systems. In many African courts, the role also includes coordinating security or liaising with police and court marshals—issues that matter when high-profile figures need protection, like in stories about Chief Justice Martha Koome’s security concerns.

Daily Tasks and Key Responsibilities

Typical duties include opening and filing case documents, updating electronic records, scheduling hearings, issuing summonses, and preparing judgment drafts for judges. You’ll also take notes, manage exhibit lists, and help enforce courtroom procedures. Accuracy matters: a misplaced form can delay a whole trial.

Communication is constant. You’ll answer queries from lawyers, paralegals, and the public, often under tight deadlines. Expect some public-facing work—helping people understand where to file papers or how to get certified copies—so clear, calm communication helps a lot.

Skills, Training, and Career Steps

Most employers want a diploma in legal studies, public administration, or a related field. Practical experience—internships at courts, law firms, or legal aid clinics—makes you stand out. Learn common case-management software used in your country and strong typing and document-formatting skills.

Crucial soft skills are confidentiality, attention to detail, and the ability to stay calm when things get busy. Ethics and neutrality matter: court staff must avoid taking sides. If you want to move up, consider training in court administration or records management, or aim for roles like court administrator or registrar.

In countries facing corruption or funding gaps, court secretaries sometimes handle extra duties like tracking disbursements or flagging missing funds—work that can link to broader probes into public money. That makes integrity and record accuracy essential.

Want practical tips? Keep a checklist for every hearing, back up records daily, and build a quick-reference folder with local filing rules and contact lists. Networking with clerks at nearby courts helps when you need fast answers or cover.

Ready to apply? Look for job listings on government portals, court notice boards, and legal job sites. Tailor your CV to show case-handling experience, familiarity with court forms, and any software skills. In interviews, be ready to explain how you manage deadlines and protect confidential information.

Being a court secretary is steady, responsible work that keeps the justice system moving. If you like structure, paperwork, and public service, it’s a role that makes a real difference every day.