Leaders of the New York court system have embraced a study group’s recommendation that judges expand the use of remote proceedings as a means of doing business into the future, the Law Journal has learned.

Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas addresses The New York State Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation on Friday, October 13, 2023 at the New York City Bar Association...The New York State Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation is an independent body tasked with examining, evaluating and making recommendations with respect to compensation for New York State’s judges, members of the state legislature and state officials. (Photo by David Handschuh/OCA) Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas addresses The New York State Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation on Friday, October 13, 2023, at the New York City Bar Association…The New York State Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation is an independent body tasked with examining, evaluating and making recommendations with respect to compensation for New York State’s judges, members of the state legislature and state officials. (Photo by David Handschuh/OCA)

Although state court judges will maintain discretion on how to hold court, Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas has communicated to his leadership team that the court system shares the study groups’ view that courts should offer online virtual proceedings, when appropriate, according to a Nov. 26 memo obtained by the Law Journal.