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Resolution: In Support of Remote and Virtual Hearings (CCJ/COSCA 2021)

In July 2021, the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators approved Resolution 2 In Support of Remote and Virtual Hearings. They recognized that remote technology was a vital tool for courts during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep courts operational while keeping the public and court employees safe. They also recognized that the ability to participate in virtual hearings could bring benefits to attorneys, parties, and self-represented litigants even in a post-pandemic world. The recommendations of Resolution 2 are as follows:

  • Courts should leverage technology to ensure litigant access to procedural and legal information and should make appearance possible via remote means when practicable.
  • Courts should apply the guiding principles for court technology, consider creative ways to bridge the digital divide, makes adjustments for privacy concerns, and adjust the scheduling of hearings to allow adequate time to orient people and to handle technological issues.
  • Courts should engage in rigorous evaluation of innovative efforts and should share best practices, guidance, and resources.
  • Court leadership should support and provide financial resources to increase broadband and other solutions to address the digital divide. Courts should do this in partnership with other government agencies, private funders, and other system partners. 

The full Resolution is attached.