Court ushers get courtrooms ready for hearings, greet witnesses and make sure people behave properly in court. They make sure court hearings run smoothly.
The job
Court ushers are important because they make sure court hearings run smoothly.
Before the judge arrives, court ushers make sure everything is in order for the hearing. They check whether the courtroom is ready, whether the necessary equipment is in place and whether the lawyers have arrived. Court ushers also accompany judges between their offices and the courtroom.
During a hearing, court ushers make sure everyone in the courtroom behaves properly. They’ll also assist witnesses and support judges in their jobs, for example by making photocopies.
Court ushers must have these abilities:
- be impartial and confident when enforcing the rules of correct behaviour in court,
- be helpful and ready to assist,
- be a team player,
- express themselves clearly,
- be discreet at all times.
Day-to-day work
The main duties of a court usher are to:
- prepare and open courtrooms,
- help judges and accompany them between their offices and the courtroom,
- greet witnesses during the hearing,
- make sure people in the courtroom respect the rules,
- help judges during the trial, for example, by making photocopies.
Work environment
Court ushers work part-time and must be on call. Their work schedule might change from week to week depending on how busy the court is.
Training
There is no specific training program to become a court usher.
To apply for the position, Quebec’s department of justice, the Ministère de la Justice, requires a high school diploma. If you haven’t completed the required schooling, two years of work experience can count for each missing year of education.
The department hires court ushers from its bank of job applicants.
To learn more
Emploi Québec’s job market information website has information about court clerks, which is the category that court ushers belong to. There is information about the work they do, job prospects and necessary training.
The website of Quebec’s department of justice also has information about court ushers and how to apply for this job. (French only)