Appellate Division to Livestream Oral Arguments

                                                          Transparency Improvements Include Greater Access to Briefs Filed in Supreme and Appellate Courts

Oral arguments before the Appellate Division now will be livestreamed on the Judiciary’s website as part of a continued effort to expand public access to court hearings and court documents.

Beginning with proceedings on Sept. 9, the public will be able to observe Appellate Division oral arguments on its livestreams page at njcourts.gov. The Supreme Court has provided live webcasts of its oral arguments since 2005.

New standards also will provide greater access to court filings in matters being argued before the Supreme and Appellate courts. Starting Sept. 4, briefs filed before the higher courts will be posted on the Judiciary’s website at least five days before the scheduled oral arguments. Confidential or sealed briefs will not be posted.

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said the changes will allow the public to observe court proceedings and review vital court documents without having to travel to their local courthouse.

“An engaged and informed citizenry improves public trust in the courts and strengthens our justice system as a whole. And as technology evolves, it affords greater opportunities to expand public access to the courts,” Chief Justice Rabner said.

The changes were outlined in a Sept. 3 Notice to the Bar. The letter reminded attorneys of their continued obligation to ensure that filings do not contain confidential information and are redacted in appropriate circumstances.

Chief Justice Rabner said the Judiciary will “continue to look for appropriate ways to expand access to matters of public interest and importance at all levels of the court system.”