The New York State Office of Court Administration is seeking public comment on a proposed amendment to the Rules of the Commercial Division that would add a new Rule 25-a authorizing the use of Virtual Evidence Courtrooms (VECs). The proposal, developed by the Commercial Division Advisory Council, is now open for public comment until August 16, 2025.
According to the Advisory Council’s memorandum in support of the proposed rule, “[t]he integration of technology into courtroom practice has become increasingly vital for enhancing efficiency and accessibility in legal proceedings,” and VECs “represent a significant technological advance, offering a secure, digital platform for managing and presenting evidence during trials.”
The proposed rule would allow Commercial Division justices to “require or permit” the use of VECs in appropriate cases. As explained in the Advisory Council’s memorandum, VECs provide a centralized and secure environment where the court and parties can upload, view, annotate, and reference evidentiary materials electronically – offering “substantial benefits to both the court and litigants.”
The Council concludes that encouraging VEC use would further the Commercial Division’s longstanding reputation for procedural innovation and judicial modernization. “By encouraging the use of VECs,” the memorandum states, “the Commercial Division can continue its mission of promoting procedural efficiency and maintaining its reputation as a leader in judicial modernization.”
Comments should be submitted by August 16, 2025, via email to rulecomments@nycourts.gov with the subject line: “Comments on Proposed VEC Rule.”
We will continue to track this proposal and report on developments that may affect practice in the Westchester Commercial Division.
To learn more about new developments in the Westchester Commercial Division, please subscribe to the Westchester Commercial Division Blog.