The U.S. Supreme Court has introduced new technology designed to help identify possible conflicts of interest involving the nine justices, according to a report by Reuters.
The move comes as scrutiny over judicial ethics remains high. Although the justices decide for themselves whether to step aside from cases, the court said the new system will add an extra layer of review.
The software was developed by the court’s information technology office along with other staff. It will compare information about lawyers and parties involved in a case with financial and other disclosures provided by each justice’s chambers. A court spokesperson said the system will conduct “automated recusal checks” before cases proceed.
Ethics code in place, but recusal remains self-policed
The Supreme Court adopted its first formal code of conduct in 2023. That code outlines ethical expectations but does not create an enforcement mechanism. Each justice retains the authority to decide whether to recuse from a case.
Under the code, a justice should step aside when their “impartiality might reasonably be questioned.” However, critics have argued that without outside oversight, the standard relies heavily on personal judgment.
The new software will complement existing internal procedures. In addition, the court announced stricter filing requirements for certain submissions. Lawyers will now need to provide more detailed lists of parties involved in a case. They must also include stock ticker symbols where relevant, which could make financial conflicts easier to detect.
These updated filing rules will take effect on March 16.
Gabe Roth, executive director of the advocacy group Fix the Court, described the development as “somewhat positive.” He noted that lower courts have long used similar conflict-check systems and has previously criticized justices for owning individual stocks while serving on the bench.
The introduction of automated screening does not alter the justices’ ultimate discretion over recusal decisions. Still, it signals a shift toward adopting technological tools already common in other parts of the federal judiciary.
As public attention on judicial ethics continues, the court’s adoption of conflict-check software suggests a measured response aimed at reinforcing confidence in its internal review processes without changing the fundamental structure of how recusal decisions are made.
