The National Center for State Court’s 2025 annual report, “Looking Forward,” addresses advances in technology, evolving public expectations, rising security concerns and persistent gaps in access to legal services.
Elizabeth Clement, former justice of the Michigan Supreme Court who took the helm as NCSC’s president and CEO in May 2025, sees the report as a reflection of the court community’s commitment to serving the public.
“I’m inspired every day by the dedication of judges, court professionals, and justice system leaders who are committed to ensuring that courts continue to serve the public with fairness, integrity, and excellence,” Clement said.
This year’s report highlights important efforts to improve the administration of justice while meeting today’s challenges and preparing for the future.
As artificial intelligence reshapes how institutions operate, Clement said the NCSC is helping courts adopt the technology responsibly without compromising the fairness and integrity the public expects.
NCSC’s annual State of the State Courts survey reveals that a majority of Americans view AI in courts as more harmful than helpful, presenting courts with both practical and public relations challenges.
Rising threats to judicial safety have pushed security to the top of court leaders’ agendas, and NCSC is working to secure the resources and information state court judges and staff need to stay safe.
The report also addresses the justice gap through recommendations from the Committee on Legal Education and Admissions Reform (CLEAR). And it looks ahead at the future court workforce through the Court Opportunity Recruitment for All (CORA) platform, which is building pathways for the next generation of court leaders.
A common theme runs through all of this work: helping courts meet the realities of a changing society.
To read “Looking Forward” in full to see how NCSC is supporting courts and the people who serve them, visit www.ncsc.org/about-us/annual-report.
Elizabeth Clement, former justice of the Michigan Supreme Court who took the helm as NCSC’s president and CEO in May 2025, sees the report as a reflection of the court community’s commitment to serving the public.
“I’m inspired every day by the dedication of judges, court professionals, and justice system leaders who are committed to ensuring that courts continue to serve the public with fairness, integrity, and excellence,” Clement said.
This year’s report highlights important efforts to improve the administration of justice while meeting today’s challenges and preparing for the future.
As artificial intelligence reshapes how institutions operate, Clement said the NCSC is helping courts adopt the technology responsibly without compromising the fairness and integrity the public expects.
NCSC’s annual State of the State Courts survey reveals that a majority of Americans view AI in courts as more harmful than helpful, presenting courts with both practical and public relations challenges.
Rising threats to judicial safety have pushed security to the top of court leaders’ agendas, and NCSC is working to secure the resources and information state court judges and staff need to stay safe.
The report also addresses the justice gap through recommendations from the Committee on Legal Education and Admissions Reform (CLEAR). And it looks ahead at the future court workforce through the Court Opportunity Recruitment for All (CORA) platform, which is building pathways for the next generation of court leaders.
A common theme runs through all of this work: helping courts meet the realities of a changing society.
To read “Looking Forward” in full to see how NCSC is supporting courts and the people who serve them, visit www.ncsc.org/about-us/annual-report.
