Judicial clerk (Justizfachangestellter/Justizfachangestellte)
You keep the court registry or public prosecutor's office running: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, in the public justice service.
What a judicial clerk does
They work in a court or a prosecutor's office alongside judges and prosecutors: they manage case files, monitor deadlines, write letters and take the minutes of hearings.
Manage files
Open, file and move forward criminal, civil, family or inheritance case files.
Monitor deadlines
Calculate and check deadlines, summon parties and witnesses, and serve decisions.
Inform
Receive members of the public, explain procedures and record their requests and statements.
This occupation is for you if…
- you like the rigour of rules and written procedures
- you are precise and respect deadlines
- you can stay discreet with sensitive files
- you enjoy receiving and informing people
Less suitable if…
- you do not like office work with paper or digital case files
- you struggle with strict rules and written procedures
- you want a job with a lot of physical movement
A typical day in the workshop
What you will learn, what is expected of you
Technical skills
Case file managementCriminal and civil procedureDeadline monitoringEnforcement and insolvencyInheritance and guardianshipCalculating costsPersonal qualities
AccuracyDiscretionOrganisation skillsPublic service ethosCommunicationHow the Ausbildung works
In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.
The basics
- Criminal and minor offence cases
- Civil procedure
- Enforcement against movable assets
Going deeper
- Insolvency and family matters
- Enforcement against real estate
- Final exam, part 1
Independence
- Inheritance and guardianship
- Registers and land register
- Final exam, part 2
Exams and qualification
The final exam is in two parts (gestreckte Abschlussprüfung). Part 1, in the 4th half-year, has two 60-minute written papers (criminal procedure, then civil procedure and enforcement). Part 2, at the end of training, has two written papers and a simulated interview on inheritance or guardianship matters. You obtain the certificate as a judicial clerk (Justizfachangestellter).
You are paid during the training
Gross monthly pay during the training. These amounts are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.
What you need to apply
Education level
German level
Physical fitness
Documents to prepare
- CV and cover letter in German
- Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
- German B2 level certificate
Advantages and difficulties
Advantages
- Work in the public justice service
- Regular training pay
- Varied work: criminal, civil, family, inheritance
- Options to progress within the justice system
Difficulties
- Very technical legal framework and vocabulary
- Constant accuracy and precision required
- Mostly sedentary work
- Case files that can be heavy to handle
Where it can lead
Judicial clerk
Work in the registry of a court or prosecutor's office, supporting judges and prosecutors.
Justizfachwirt
Move into the intermediate justice service after further training, depending on the federal state.
Bailiff or senior post
Options to progress to court bailiff (Gerichtsvollzieher) or other posts in the justice system.
Other trainings: Management, finance and administration
Not quite convinced by this occupation? Here are related trainings in the same field.
We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany
Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.
Take the test online or at the office
The eligibility test is done online on our website, or by visiting our Douala office directly.
Take the testTalk to our team
Germany: +49 (0) 7033 694 18 80
Cameroon: +237 622 20 81 64
DZK, our language centre
Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK) is our own language centre in Douala. Outside Douala: partner language centres, call us to find the nearest one.
AZUFA is always us
AZUFA is our platform: it connects you with German companies that recruit apprentices and follows your application through to the training contract.
Go to AZUFAFrom German A1 to the first day of training in Germany
Each step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.
- 1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
- 2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
- 3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK
- 4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
- 5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA
- 6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
- 7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
- 8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Stay informed
Join our channels to receive new offers, session dates and advice. These are announcement channels: no private conversations.
Our structures for this occupation
Our platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.
Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.
Training offers for this occupation
No offer is open here at the moment. Browse apprenticeship offers on AZUFA, or receive an e-mail as soon as a partner company recruits.
See offers on AZUFA →Take this sheet with you
A 5-page document to read offline or show your family: the occupation, the training, the pay and the whole pathway, from German A1 to the first day of training.
Download the brochure (PDF)You may be wondering…
What German level is required?
How long does the training last?
Am I paid during the training?
Where can I take the eligibility test?
Where can I learn German?
Where does a judicial clerk work?
How is the final exam structured?
Ready to find out whether this occupation is for you?
Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.