April 10, 2025
Social media entrepreneur Matt Mullenweg said, “Technology is best when it brings people together,” and that is exactly what remote work is doing in the judicial system. Court leaders are using technology to keep legal teams connected, make justice more accessible, and ensure court operations run smoothly no matter where people are working.
The judicial system has long been associated with in-person proceedings, formal settings, and traditional workflows. However, the rise of remote work has reshaped how courts operate, presenting both opportunities and challenges for court leadership. Managing a remote or hybrid workforce in the legal system requires balancing efficiency, accessibility, and security while ensuring justice remains fair and effective.
Before COVID-19, remote work in the court system was mostly limited to behind-the-scenes administrative tasks. But when the pandemic hit, courts had to quickly adapt by moving hearings online, digitizing case filings, and shifting to virtual case management. Now many courts have embraced a hybrid approach allowing judges, attorneys, and clerks to work remotely while still ensuring fair proceedings and public access to justice. Court leaders had to tackle tough challenges when bringing remote work into the judicial system such as keeping information secure, making sure everyone had equal access to justice, and finding the right balance between flexibility and accountability.
In “Things a Court Manager Should Consider Regarding Remote Work,” NCSC’s Zach Zarnow examines the key factors for implementing remote work successfully in the judicial system and emphasizes the need for clear policies, technology investments, and ongoing training to address these issues.
Despite the hurdles highlighted in the report, the judiciary stepped up, creating remote work policies and initiatives to address these issues head-on, ensuring that courts continue to function smoothly while maintaining fairness and transparency in legal proceedings. For instance, the following states have each tailored their approaches to fit their unique needs and resources.
- Mohave County Superior Court in Arizona allows employees to work at home or at an alternate location.
- After 12 months of employment with the California Judicial Council, employees are eligible to request work from home up to a maximum of 1 day per week.
- Maryland offers a compressed work week allowing fewer than 5 days per week or 10 days per pay period, with options.
- The Commonwealth of Massachusetts promotes a hybrid work model.
- North Carolina’s remote work policy permits eligible employees to engage in remote work arrangements subject to managerial approval.
- The North Dakota Supreme Court has implemented teleworking arrangements for certain staff members.
Today the judicial system is embracing remote work using technology to make court processes more accessible and flexible while keeping justice fair by connecting everyone involved in the legal process no matter where they are.
What remote work policies have your state or court implemented? Share your experiences with us. Email us at Knowledge@ncsc.org or call 800-616-6164 and let us know. Follow the National Center for State Courts on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Vimeo. For more Trending Topics posts, visit ncsc.org/trendingtopics and subscribe to the LinkedIn newsletter.