NY Court Modernization Committee Promotes Virtual Proceedings

New York State courts need to ramp up use of and access to virtual court proceedings, the court system’s modernization panel wrote in a report published Wednesday.

Priorities for 2024 should include promoting consistent use of virtual proceedings, investing in technology to upgrade virtual proceedings and the court’s website, and bolstering training and support for court users and staff to use and participate in virtual proceedings, the Court Modernization Action Committee’s report says.

“These priorities aim to solidify the foundation laid by the progress to date, ensuring that the court system is responsive, accessible, and efficient in the face of evolving needs and challenges,” the panel wrote.

The Court Modernization Action Committee, which was formed last March, is chaired by Supreme Court Justice Craig Doran and includes judges, lawyers, government officials, and bar association representatives.

Going Virtual

Virtual proceedings are often used inconsistently between counties, courts, and individual judges, according to the committee. An online calendaring system for virtual and in-person proceedings, and implementing guidelines for best practices around virtual appearances and for recording virtual proceedings, could create more transparency around when proceedings are taking place virtually.

The report calls for an expansion of court system initiatives to help expand access to justice and provide court users who lack access to or familiarity with computers with a way to access virtual proceedings. One of the initiatives cited, the Virtual Court Access Network, allows litigants and other court users to participate in virtual conferences using computers in places like public libraries, houses of worship, and community-based organizations

The report also recommends the court implement new virtual appearance software that has support for accessibility needs, and train judges and court staff on how to accommodate people with disabilities when attending virtual appearances.

The committee recommends expanding e-filing, mentioning its utility to self-represented litigants, and supports legislation that would let the courts expand e-filing and complete the rollout of e-filing in family courts statewide.

The court also needs to be better prepared for future disasters and emergencies by hiring a Disaster Preparedness Director, developing an emergency response plan for declaring and responding to disruptions, and conducting test runs of 100% virtual appearance preparedness for the courts.