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Council weighs centralized B&T program, AI guidance and a transcript-cost pilot for appeals
Summary
The Judicial Council reviewed a B&T workgroup recommendation to centralize business-and-technology (B&T) case handling, received AI workgroup guidance on generative AI risks and uses, and approved a three-year pilot to fund transcripts for certain appellate domestic relations child-access appeals for qualifying low-income parties.
During the Sept. 25 meeting, the Special Projects Committee and related workgroups reported on several policy-level proposals that could affect court structure and access to appellate review.
Justice Jonathan Biran summarized the Artificial Intelligence Workgroup's approach to generative AI: the workgroup issued guidelines for appropriate use, identified opportunities for AI to assist with summarizing documents and drafting orders, and highlighted concerns about accuracy, security and bias. The workgroup also worked with the Judicial College to develop mandatory security training for staff and judges.
Justice Brynja M. Booth presented the Business & Technology (B&T) Workgroup's recommendation to consider a centralized B&T program. The July 2024 report recommends designating no fewer than three judges statewide to handle B&T cases full time (including writing opinions), cross-designation to allow use across jurisdictions, and permitting parties to cite program judges' opinions as persuasive authority. The proposal notes potential resource impacts for courts providing program judges and indicates funding and possibly legislative approval may be required.
The Judicial Security Task Force reported on courthouse site visits, a threat assessment survey, and recommendations intended to feed the legislative Task Force to Ensure the Safety of Judicial Facilities; a report to that legislative task force is due Dec. 31, 2024.
Judge Douglas R.M. Nazarian reported for the Transcript Task Force, which proposed eliminating transcript-cost barriers for some appeals. The council approved a three‑year pilot to fund Appellate Court appeals in domestic relations child‑access cases for parties meeting income requirements and directed the task force to prepare an RFI and explore AI-assisted transcript options.
Why it matters: The B&T recommendation would concentrate specialized cases and judicial expertise, AI guidance shapes how courts will use emerging tools, and the transcript pilot aims to reduce a cost barrier that can prevent appeals from proceeding.
What’s next: the B&T recommendations will require further logistical planning and funding consideration; AI guidance will be revisited as technology and rule needs evolve; the transcript pilot will move into implementation design and RFI development.
