Chief Justice Budd stresses access, caution on GenAI and calls for stronger judicial security
Loading...
Summary
In her 2025 State of the Judiciary address, Chief Justice Kimberly Budd highlighted steps to improve access and transparency in Massachusetts courts, cautioned about generative AI use, and supported legislative protections for judges' personal information.
Chief Justice Kimberly Budd told a gathering at the Adams Courthouse that the Massachusetts court system is pursuing initiatives to make courts more accessible and accountable while guarding judicial independence.
"By providing education, mentoring, and fellowship for your members, supporting pro bono service, legal aid, and programs like the judicial youth corps, and advocating for the needs of the courts, you help strengthen our system in so many ways," Budd said, thanking the Massachusetts Bar Association for sponsoring the event.
Budd highlighted updated judicial guidelines for civil cases involving self‑represented litigants that permit judges and court staff to explain procedures and refer litigants to resources without prejudicing opposing parties' rights. The changes, she said, are designed to help litigants who appear without counsel be fairly heard.
The chief justice also emphasized technology pilots intended to improve court users' experience. She noted Wi‑Fi upgrades in nearly all courthouses and a digital signage pilot in Chelsea, and described an online tool developed with Suffolk University Law School to implement the Affordable Homes Act's eviction‑record sealing procedures. "Since it was launched, it's been used to prepare and file over 1,000 eviction sealing petitions in the housing court," Budd said.
On generative artificial intelligence, Budd urged measured adoption. She said the SJC has issued interim guidelines allowing judges and court staff to use only public information in GenAI tools and requiring disabling any retention or training on court data. "We recognize that GenAI offers enormous potential ... At the same time, we also recognize that the use of GenAI raises concerns, especially at this relatively early stage in its development," Budd said, citing questions about reliability, confidentiality and cost.
Budd said the Access to Justice Commission is studying how such tools might be harnessed to expand legal help for people who cannot afford lawyers while minimizing disparities caused by cost.
She closed by stressing that the judicial system will remain "centered on human intelligence, understanding, and judgment" even as it explores technological improvements.
The address was followed by a panel with Trial Court Administrator Thomas Ambrosino to discuss operational matters and next steps for court initiatives.
