Skip to main content

Site navigation

  • University of Technology Sydney home
  • Home

    Home
  • For students

  • For industry

  • Research

Explore

  • Courses
  • Events
  • News
  • Stories
  • People

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Study at UTS

    • arrow_right_alt Find a course
    • arrow_right_alt Course areas
    • arrow_right_alt Undergraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Postgraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Research Masters and PhD
    • arrow_right_alt Online study and short courses
  • Student information

    • arrow_right_alt Current students
    • arrow_right_alt New UTS students
    • arrow_right_alt Graduates (Alumni)
    • arrow_right_alt High school students
    • arrow_right_alt Indigenous students
    • arrow_right_alt International students
  • Admissions

    • arrow_right_alt How to apply
    • arrow_right_alt Entry pathways
    • arrow_right_alt Eligibility
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for students

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Apply for a coursearrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Scholarshipsarrow_right_alt
  • Featured industries

    • arrow_right_alt Agriculture and food
    • arrow_right_alt Defence and space
    • arrow_right_alt Energy and transport
    • arrow_right_alt Government and policy
    • arrow_right_alt Health and medical
    • arrow_right_alt Corporate training
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Tech Central
    • arrow_right_alt Case studies
    • arrow_right_alt Research
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for industry

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Partner with usarrow_right_alt
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Explore our research
    • arrow_right_alt Research centres and institutes
    • arrow_right_alt Graduate research
    • arrow_right_alt Research partnerships
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for research

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Research centres and institutesarrow_right_alt
  • University of Technology Sydney home
Explore the University of Technology Sydney
Category Filters:
University of Technology Sydney home University of Technology Sydney home
  1. home
  2. arrow_forward_ios ... For students
  3. arrow_forward_ios ... Current students
  4. arrow_forward_ios ... Managing your course
  5. arrow_forward_ios ... Manage your course - Law
  6. arrow_forward_ios Career
  7. arrow_forward_ios Judge's associate and tipstaff

Judge's associate and tipstaff

explore
  • Manage your course - Law
    • arrow_forward Canvas Learning Management System
    • arrow_forward Guide to addressing judicial officers
    • arrow_forward Start your UTS Law journey
    • Assessment
      • arrow_forward Academic Liaison Officer
      • arrow_forward Academic misconduct
      • arrow_forward Exams
      • arrow_forward Extensions
      • arrow_forward Late Submission Penalties
      • arrow_forward Short courses
    • Brennan Justice and Leadership Program
      • arrow_forward About the Brennan Program
      • arrow_forward Brennan events
      • arrow_forward Brennan Program Initiatives
      • arrow_forward Leadership through Service
      • arrow_forward Reflections On Justice
    • arrow_forward Events for Law students
    • Career
      • arrow_forward Diverse Women in Law (DWL) Memberships
      • arrow_forward Graduate employment
      • arrow_forward Judge's associate and tipstaff
      • arrow_forward Law job alerts
      • arrow_forward Law Society of NSW Student Membership
      • arrow_forward Postgraduate study
      • arrow_forward Summer clerkship
    • Competitions and prizes
      • arrow_forward Law award recipients
      • arrow_forward Law prizes
      • arrow_forward Mooting
      • arrow_forward Mooting competitions
      • arrow_forward Prizes and awards
    • arrow_forward Faculty contacts
    • arrow_forward Faculty of Law Inherent Requirements
    • Graduate attributes
      • arrow_forward Bachelor of Laws
      • arrow_forward Juris Doctor graduate attributes
      • arrow_forward Postgraduate Law graduate attributes
    • Honours and Research
      • arrow_forward Examples of Previous Research Theses
      • arrow_forward Further information
      • arrow_forward How to apply
      • arrow_forward JD students
      • arrow_forward LLB students
      • arrow_forward Postgraduate students
      • arrow_forward Supervisors
    • International opportunities
      • arrow_forward Tour: Malawi’s Criminal Justice System
      • arrow_forward Beijing Summer School: Introduction to Chinese Commercial Law
      • arrow_forward International and Comparative Law Program with UAS Konstanz
      • arrow_forward Guangzhou Winter School: Introduction to Chinese Commercial Law
    • Internships
      • arrow_forward International internships
      • arrow_forward Local internships
      • arrow_forward Other experiential learning subjects
    • arrow_forward Law Students' Society
    • Practical Legal Training (PLT)
      • arrow_forward Practical Experience
      • arrow_forward Practical Legal Training FAQs
      • arrow_forward Practical Experience Placement Opportunities
    • Specialisations and electives
      • arrow_forward Bachelor of Laws elective streams
      • arrow_forward Legal Futures and Technology Major
      • arrow_forward Subjects offered
    • arrow_forward Student support and mentoring

 

Graduates who have attained strong grades and have some legal research experience may wish to work with a judge in chambers for a year or two after graduation,  before embarking on the next phase in their careers. The District Court of NSW, Federal Court of Australia and High Court of Australia offer roles as an Associate to a judge or as a legal research officer within the court’s registry. The Supreme Court of NSW offers graduate roles as a Tipstaff to a judge or a legal researcher. Other courts and tribunals also offer Associate or researcher roles.

What are the benefits?

These positions are highly sought after and provide:

  • A valuable insight to the workings of a judge’s chambers.
  • An understanding of the administration of justice and courtroom procedure.
  • An opportunity to further consolidate advanced legal research skills.
  • An insight into work of a barrister or litigation practice as a solicitor.
  • An opportunity to expand your professional network.

Where to apply?

Generally, students in their final or penultimate year of LLB or JD will apply directly to the judge or court with whom they wish to work. In deciding where to apply, students  should consider:

  • The caseload or jurisdiction of the Court in light of your interests or future career plans.
  • An individual judge’s own specialisation (for instance, a judge may be known for their particular expertise in an area).

How to apply?

  • By the beginning of your final year of study, contact each judge’s chambers to inquire about their application timing and procedures
  • Feel free to apply to more than one judge or court, but tailor your application to the specific judge.
  • Be aware of greeting style and formalities (e.g., it is customary to address your application letter ‘Dear Judge’). If you are unsure about this, you might ask the judge’s assistant.
  • Judges will be looking for excellent grades, extra-curricular activities, finely-tuned research skills, excellent oral and written communication, a strong work ethic and the ability to work well under direction.

High Court Associateships

Naturally, there is exceptional competition for High Court Associateships . An Associate to a High Court judge would be expected to have graduated with first class Honours and have exceptional research skills. High Court judges often appoint their Associates two and three years in advance, so your application should indicate the years that you are available for employment. Further information about Associateship applications.

Federal Court Associateships

The Federal Court of Australia offers a number of Associate positions each year. Associates are employed as part of the personal chambers staff of a particular judge. They provide legal research, incourt duties and other support for that judge. Associate positions are generally not advertised and the selection of Associates is conducted by the judge personally. Generally, Associates are employed for up to 12 months, usually (but not always) commencing early in the calendar year. An application for an Associate position should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae and an Academic Transcript. You should indicate if there are particular availability periods for when you wish to be considered for employment. Forward your application directly to the judge or to the District Registrar in the appropriate registry.

  • Contact details
  • List of Federal Court judges

Supreme Court of NSW Tipstaff or legal researcher positions

Work as a tipstaff involves assisting a NSW Supreme Court judge with court related duties and complex legal research. Research generally involves a detailed analysis of case law and an examination of legal developments in areas where precedents may not be well defined. Tipstaff positions are available for judges in the Equity and Common Law Divisions of the Supreme Court of NSW and in the NSW Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court also employs legal researchers on an annual basis.

Applicants for these roles are expected to possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, to demonstrate a high level of IT proficiency and to display tact, confidentiality and confidence in their interactions with court users, practitioners, the judiciary and other court staff. A strong academic record and exceptional legal research skills are also essential.

Applications should be directed to the individual Judge’s chambers preferably no later than the 30th March, the year before you wish to commence work. Interviews are usually conducted in April and May, with the successful applicant commencing work in late January the following year. The tipstaff and researcher positions are highly competitive. Applicants are strongly recommended to contact the chambers of individual judges for specific information on applications for the tipstaff position with that judge.

Please visit the Supreme Court of NSW for further information about applying for these positions and a list of Supreme Court judicial officers.

District Court of NSW Associateships

An Associate in the District Court of NSW acts as a personal and professional assistant to a Judge. An Associate provides a comprehensive legal and research service to the judge and assists with court related duties. The Associate’s responsibilities include maintaining records, administering oaths, empanelling and taking verdicts from juries, recording and taking custody of exhibits and accompanying and assisting a judge on country court circuits. Associates are also required to liaise with the judiciary, legal profession, prosecutors, litigants, witnesses, court staff and the public, in order to ensure the effective processing of court and chamber matters.

Law graduates applying for positions are expected to have a strong academic record in their law studies and highly developed legal research skills. Previous legal work experience is also highly desirable.

For advertised positions contact the Judicial Support Coordinator on (02) 9287 7324.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and the Boorooberongal People of the Dharug Nation upon whose ancestral lands our campuses now stand. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands. 

University of Technology Sydney

City Campus

15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007

Get in touch with UTS

Follow us

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Facebook

A member of

  • Australian Technology Network
Use arrow keys to navigate within each column of links. Press Tab to move between columns.

Study

  • Find a course
  • Undergraduate
  • Postgraduate
  • How to apply
  • Scholarships and prizes
  • International students
  • Campus maps
  • Accommodation

Engage

  • Find an expert
  • Industry
  • News
  • Events
  • Experience UTS
  • Research
  • Stories
  • Alumni

About

  • Who we are
  • Faculties
  • Learning and teaching
  • Sustainability
  • Initiatives
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Campus and locations
  • Awards and rankings
  • UTS governance

Staff and students

  • Current students
  • Help and support
  • Library
  • Policies
  • StaffConnect
  • Working at UTS
  • UTS Handbook
  • Contact us
  • Copyright © 2025
  • ABN: 77 257 686 961
  • CRICOS provider number: 00099F
  • TEQSA provider number: PRV12060
  • TEQSA category: Australian University
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility