Clerk of the Court / Clerk to the Court

Question

This is causing me a headache! I've found quite a few different ways to translate this person and their functions.

A court clerk (British English clerk to the court; American English clerk of the court or clerk of court) is an officer of the court whose responsibilities include maintaining the records of a court. Another duty is to administer oaths to witnesses, jurors, and grand jurors.

Which sounds best do you?

• oficial de la corte
• empleado del tribunal
• alguacil
• escribano

As always - any comments are very much appreciated.

Gracias!

Answer 1

My dictionary says: secretario (judicial)

• oficial de la corte

Court official - could be any official, regardless of their specific duties

* empleado del tribunal

Court employee - could be any employee

• alguacil

Constable, bailiff - has very different duties compared to the clerical tasks you are describing. Probably more of a police official to keep the peace in the court room and /or to serve writs

• escribano

Court clerk, but only in the higher courts. Seems this person is also required to be a notary and has far more extensive duties than you are describing.

No, it's not US... I translated Dutch - Spanish. I have a legal background. - chicasabrosa, Jan 14, 2011

Sorry! :) I was just trying to help. I found the term on the link below. Have a good day! - 0066c384, Jan 14, 2011

It's okay, so was I ;). Have a nice day yourself. - chicasabrosa, Jan 14, 2011

Thanks chicasabrosa and dogwood. :) - amy_moreno, Jan 14, 2011

Answer 2

Court clerk

Secretario judicial

From a Californian legal dictionary.

Muchas gracias ian-hill! :) - amy_moreno, Jan 14, 2011

Answer 3

In South America escribano is more like a notary but in Spain it seems to be closer to "Clerk of the Court" (from what I've heard).

I was concerned about using secretatio judicial in case it sounds like an administrator with secretarial responsabilities rather than an official of the court. But you think it sounds ok, chicasabrosa?

I think I'll go with secretario judicial for now and perhaps escribano for clerks in the High Court of the Judiciary.

Thanks again for your help.

Answer 4

question already answered