NCSC introduces a remote proceedings toolkit
Oct. 12, 2022 — With many courts holding remote proceedings, NCSC has created a set of best practices to ensure your court gets it right.
Building on what was learned during and after the height of the pandemic, NCSC’s Access to Justice team has developed the Remote Proceeding Toolkit to help courts consider what best practices are the right fit for their remote hearings. The toolkit offers resources such as helpful links, worksheets, and sample surveys and reports for courts to use.
“This toolkit highlights innovative court practices and offers states and jurisdictions a menu of remote proceeding options to maximize court access and ensure due process for all court users,” said Grace Spulak, an NCSC senior court management consultant. “We encourage courts to incorporate remote-friendly policies into their court practices and to reach out to NCSC for assistance.”
The toolkit and recommendations provided by the Access to Justice team equip courts with considerations and guidance for adopting policies for remote and hybrid proceedings, as well as a menu of options that can be adapted for varying budgets and capacities.
The toolkit contains seven modules:
- Remote Proceeding Basics
- Creating Remote Proceeding Policies
- Technology Considerations
- What Proceedings?
- Tips for Remote Proceedings
- Evaluation
- Cautions
The modules can be used as a complete set or downloaded as stand-alone documents. Whether you choose to use the toolkit or not, Spulak encourages courts to develop standardized practices that promote fairness and transparency and adhere to judicial principles that promote equality. Standardization can also improve performance, reduce costs, decrease errors, and help courts process cases more efficiently.
This week, you can learn more about remote proceedings best practices and policies by watching this week’s Tiny Chat or logging in to the “Remote ProceedingsPolicies” webinar at 2 p.m. ET. You can also find additional resources on our website or by contacting Spulak by email.
Register today for eCourts 2022 Livestream December 5 - 7
In-person registration is sold-out, but you can still attend this exciting and educational event virtually. The livestream option delivers the latest insights and best practices from the comfort of your home or office. This year’s line-up is sure to have something for everyone – regardless of your role with the court. Topics include cybersecurity, hybrid hearings, funding and contracting, and AI. Learn more by visiting the eCourts website.