Judging Better, Judging Smarter 2021

Overview

This program focused on the use of technology in the courtroom and the opportunities it offers. The topics covered included virtual hearings and trials, digital documents, communication, and practical tips and tricks on how to use technology to make your life easier.

Objective

Over the course of the two-and-a-half-day program, which used a variety of learning methods, participants acquired new knowledge, as well as new skills and tools relating to justice and technology. The primary objective was for judges to learn how to integrate technology into their work and to use it in the Courtroom in order to judge better and judge smarter.

Summary

This seminar allowed judges to learn more about digital justice, as well as to familiarize themselves with the technological tools at their disposal in order to judge better and judge smarter. The first day began with a brief review of recent technological developments in the courts and in the wider world. This was followed by a discussion on how to conduct virtual hearings effectively during the pandemic. The second day began with a look into the world of cognitive science aimed at learning more about reading on digital platforms. This was followed by a discussion on the electronic document repository and how it is used by judges. The last day provided an opportunity to focus on effective communication before participants received practical advice on how to choose the best technology tools and use them efficiently. The day ended with a group discussion on the virtual court of the future.