Vt. Memo to the Bar, Sept. 27, 2022

SUPREME COURT OF VERMONT

OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR

THERESE CORSONES, ESQ. Mailing Address

State Court Administrator Office of the Court Administrator

Therese.Corsones@vermont.gov 109 State Street

Montpelier, VT 05609-0701

Telephone (802) 828-3278

FAX: 802 828-3457

www.vermontjudiciary.org

TO: Members of the Vermont Bar

FROM: Teri Corsones, Esq., State Court Administrator

RE: Amended Administrative Directive TC-1

DATE: September 27, 2022

Following the outbreak of Covid-19 and Governor Scott’s declaration of a state of emergency

on March 13, 2020, the Vermont Supreme Court issued Administrative Order 49 on March 16,

2020, and therein declared a judicial emergency. After 34 amendments and two and a half years’

time, AO 49 is due to expire on September 30, 2022. This will mark the official end of the

judicial emergency. Congratulations! The Judiciary is incredibly grateful to the members of the

Vermont Bar for their patience, cooperation, and professionalism as the Judiciary responded to

the pandemic in a way that strove to reasonably balance safety considerations with access-to-

justice duties and constitutional responsibilities.

Given the end of the judicial emergency on September 30, safety protocols for Vermont

courthouses will be modified effective October 1 per amended Administrative Directive TC-1.

The revised Directive supersedes prior safety protocols. Notable provisions include:

- Masks continue to be recommended but not required in courthouses while judges will

continue to have the discretion to require masks and other safety protocols in their courtrooms

after considering specified factors.

- Screening questions continue to be asked of courthouse visitors to reduce the risk of

illness being brought into courthouses.

- Social distance protocols are no longer required, except in the few remaining Limited-Entry Courthouses awaiting completion of planned HVAC work. An updated list of Limited-Entry Courthouses is available on the Judiciary website.

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/limitedentrycourthouses

- Unit Plans regarding jury draws and jury trials are no longer required except in the few

remaining Limited-Entry Courthouses awaiting completion of planned HVAC work.

- CO2 monitor limits are raised to 1400PPM; alternative mitigation measures to vacating

the affected room are now allowed.

As we return to pre-pandemic court operations, we welcome your input in determining the best

way to proceed with in-person, remote, and hybrid proceedings so that we can utilize remote

technology where appropriate to effectuate the timely administration of justice. Thank you to

everyone who responded to the Bar Survey on Remote Hearings and to those serving on the

Special Advisory Committee on Remote Hearings and on the Rules and the Oversight

Committees as they consider modifications to remote hearings rules in light of your and other

court users’ experience and much-appreciated input.

We could never have accomplished what we did during the period of judicial emergency

without your dedication and collaboration. We look forward to continuing to work together with

you to provide equal access to justice and to preserve the rule of law in the new “post-judicial

emergency” era.