Clarke was educated at Holy Cross High School Hamilton, and studied at the University of Glasgow (M.A., LL.B.) [REF].
He was a member of the Consumer Credit Licensing Appeal Tribunal from 1976 to 2000, of the Estate Agents Tribunals from 1980 to 2000, and of the Trademarks Tribunal from 1995 to 2000, and was part-time Chairman of the Industrial Tribunals from 1987 to 2000.