Happy Friday from Avalon and Brad, and welcome to another round-up of the week's news about the judiciary. The judiciary was forced to undergo changes during the pandemic to keep its doors open, and now courts across the country are having serious discussions about what new rules should stick around. Plus, a new survey shows more than 60% of judges believe their courthouses are accessible to people with disabilities, but many are still worried about access to justice. 

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A sign hung at 100 Centre Street in Manhattan on July 14, 2021 informs visitors they can show their vaccination cards or New York Excelsior pass at the information desk and receive a pass allowing them to opt out of wearing a mask inside. Photo: Ryland West/ALM

Judiciary's Post-Pandemic Lessons 

Almost three years since the pandemic started–and as courts continue to dig out of backlogs caused by the virus–judiciary leaders are weighing what changes forced by Covid-19's emergence should stick around. 

Chief Justice Kimberly Budd, of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, shared her own thoughts on the matter during an annual address to the state bar, where she said a review is underway into if any of the judiciary's emergency Covid-19 procedures should be adopted permanently, such as the expansion of the use of electronic signatures for certain documents.