Except as otherwise provided by law, a deputy clerk of a court possesses all of the powers and authority granted by law to the clerk, and may perform any of the duties and exercise any of the functions of the clerk. Deputy clerks and other employees of a clerk of court are subject to his direction and supervision, and shall perform the duties assigned to them by law, the court, and the clerk. The clerk of a court is responsible for the performance or nonperformance of their official duties by his deputies and other employees.
Art. 255.Deputy Clerks and Other Employees
Title I. Courts · Chapter 5. Clerks · Amendment history unavailable · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 255 lets a deputy clerk exercise the same powers and perform the same duties as the clerk of court unless another law says otherwise, while keeping every deputy and other employee under the clerk's direction and making the clerk answerable for how they carry out their official duties.
Full Text of Art. 255
Plain-English Summary
A clerk of court runs an office, not a one-person operation, and Article 255 puts deputy clerks and staff into that structure. Unless a specific law says otherwise, a deputy clerk carries the same powers and authority as the clerk — able to perform any duty or exercise any function the clerk could.
That authority comes with strings attached. Deputy clerks and other employees answer to the clerk's direction and supervision, and they perform whatever duties the law, the court, or the clerk assigns them.
The clerk, in turn, is on the hook for the office. Article 255 makes the clerk responsible for how deputies and employees perform — or fail to perform — their official duties, so accountability runs to the top even when a deputy does the actual work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a deputy clerk do everything the clerk of court can do?
In general, yes — Article 255 gives a deputy clerk the same powers and authority as the clerk, except where a specific law reserves a power to the clerk alone, as Article 286 does for certain district court clerk powers.
Who is responsible if a deputy clerk makes a mistake?
The clerk of court is responsible for the performance or nonperformance of official duties by deputies and other employees.
Who supervises deputy clerks and other clerk's office staff?
The clerk of court directs and supervises them, and assigns their duties along with the court and the law.
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the vLex (Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, 2026 Edition). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
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