The U.S. Supreme Court has begun using new internal software to help its nine justices identify potential conflicts of interest before hearing cases, the court announced Tuesday.
Developed by the court’s own IT team and support staff, the tool automatically cross-checks information about lawyers, parties, and corporate entities involved in a case against financial and professional disclosures submitted by each justice.
The Supreme Court emphasized that the software is designed to enhance — not replace — the traditional process in which justices personally review cases for possible conflicts and decide whether to recuse themselves.
Under the Code of Conduct the justices adopted in November 2023, a justice must step aside in any proceeding where their 'impartiality might reasonably be questioned' — a standard each justice applies individually.
"These automated recusal checks will complement the procedures justices already follow to review potential conflicts.
— Supreme Court spokesperson
The announcement comes after years of public and congressional scrutiny over ethics at the high court, including undisclosed luxury travel, gifts, and real-estate transactions involving several justices.
The 2023 ethics code was introduced amid growing pressure for formal rules, but critics have pointed out that it lacks any external enforcement mechanism and continues to leave recusal decisions entirely in the hands of the justices themselves.
To support the software’s effectiveness, the court is also updating certain filing requirements. Beginning March 16, 2026, parties must submit more detailed lists of involved entities, including relevant stock ticker symbols, to improve the accuracy of automated screening.
How the New System Operates
The software scans incoming cases against the justices’ annual financial disclosure forms and other provided information, flagging potential matches — such as ownership of stock in a litigant company or prior professional ties — for closer review.
While lower federal courts have relied on similar automated conflict-detection tools for years, this marks the first time the Supreme Court has implemented such technology at its level.
Broader Context and Continued Scrutiny
The move follows persistent criticism of ethical practices at the Supreme Court, particularly after reports of undisclosed luxury travel, private jet flights, and real-estate deals involving justices.
The 2023 code was the court’s first formal written ethics framework, but it has faced skepticism because it includes no outside oversight or enforcement body. Justices remain solely responsible for deciding when to step aside from a case.
Main Points from the Announcement
Software created entirely in-house by Supreme Court IT and support staff.
Designed to supplement, not replace, justices’ personal conflict reviews.
New filing rules requiring more detailed party and stock information take effect March 16, 2026.
Automated screening already standard practice in many lower federal courts.
✓ Announced February 17, 2026
✓ No external enforcement of recusal decisions
✓ Justices retain sole authority to recuse
✓ Part of ongoing effort to strengthen internal ethics procedures
Advocacy groups such as Fix the Court called the change 'somewhat positive' but continued to argue that justices should be barred from owning individual stocks while serving.
Implications for the Future
The adoption of automated conflict screening represents a practical, incremental step toward greater transparency at the nation’s highest court.
While the tool may reduce the chance of overlooked conflicts, it does not address the central criticism that recusal decisions remain entirely self-regulated, with no binding external review.
Any step that helps justices avoid even the appearance of bias is a step in the right direction.— Gabe Roth, Executive Director, Fix the Court
Whether this technological improvement — combined with the 2023 ethics code — will satisfy calls for more robust, externally enforceable rules remains an open question. For now, the court continues to emphasize internal self-regulation while quietly adopting tools to strengthen its processes.
