Our values & strategic priorities

A fair and impartial judiciary is accountable and transparent, and indispensable to preserving and protecting justice, the Rule of Law, and the individual rights of all. To ensure its ability to act fairly and impartially, courts must have adequate resources to address the public's needs, the best tools and resources to ensure the effective and timely resolution of legal matters, the right data to solve problems, and the professional know-how and support to deliver on these expectations.

This priority area addresses barriers that prevent individuals and communities from obtaining access to the justice system. Among the many strategies, this includes developing resources, tools, and consultation to assist courts in providing meaningful access to justice; best practices for effective, scalable authorized justice practitioner models; and continuing to develop plans to remedy the access gap created by legal deserts.

This priority area recognizes how the role of courts is expanding beyond solely adjudicating legal disputes to proactively and collaboratively addressing related community problems that individuals touching the justice system have. This dynamic encourages courts to convene justice system partners and explore collaborative community solutions.

Access to safe, secure courts promotes public confidence in the stability of government and protects public servants working in our courts. Crises create a fundamental danger for the rule of law. This priority area recognizes the need for comprehensive strategies to address and improve responses to a wide range of emergencies, (e.g., threats to the public, judicial and court staff and cyber-attacks, pandemics, riots at courthouses, and natural disasters). Expanding continuity of operations plans (COOPs) and collaborating with government emergency planners ensures adaptable & resilient procedures during crises.

This area recognizes the significant impact that artificial intelligence (AI) and other technological innovations such as virtual reality, biometrics, robotics, predictive analytics, and blockchain-based smart contracts could have on court operations and outcomes. Working with its partners, NCSC will continue its leadership role in providing advice and guidance on the best use of these tools and the ethical and practical considerations they inevitably raise.