Program Description In partnership with the Ministry of the Attorney General, the Court Support Services program at Durham College was the first specialized court support training program to be offered in Ontario. Whether you are working in criminal, civil, youth, family or provincial offences court, court support services staff carry a lot of responsibility and play a critical role in the administration of justice. As an extension of the bench, courtroom clerks, registrars and court services officers must maintain and ensure proper decorum and integrity while providing high-quality professional customer service. You will gain practical skills and knowledge in all court business lines, including evidence recording skills as a court reporter and obtain a solid foundation in court support services that will prepare you for a career in many areas within the justice sector. The program is enhanced by faculty who share direct court support experience and expertise
This program is designed to provide you with the many specialized knowledge and skills required to work in various court support staff capacities for the courts in Ontario focusing on the roles of the Courtroom Clerk/Registrar, Court Reporter and Court Services Officer positions, as well as in agencies, on boards and tribunals, and in administrative positions within the justice sector.
In addition, it will enable you to gain the specialized evidence recording and skills required to work for organizations such as corporate boards, law firms and private court reporting agencies. You will also obtain a solid foundation that will help prepare you for work in many other areas within the justice sector.
You should possess excellent oral and written communication skills; have a high degree of responsibility, punctuality, maturity and conscientiousness; and have the ability to work independently with little supervision and as part of a team.
Prior to admission you should attend a courtroom setting and speak to a court support services worker or a member of an agency, board or commission to acquire knowledge about his or her duties.
Please note: You are required to complete a criminal record check prior to entering into your second semester field placement
