LA Superior Court chatbot CourtHelp wins Justice Chin innovation award

The Los Angeles County Superior Court has received the 2026 Justice Chin Technology Innovation Award for its artificial intelligence-powered chatbot, CourtHelp, which expands public access to court services.

The award was presented by retired California Supreme Court Justice Ming Chin at the statewide Judicial Branch Technology Summit in San Francisco on March 11. It recognizes courts that use technology to improve access to justice. The honor highlights the growing role of digital tools in helping court systems better serve the public.

CourtHelp, launched July 1, 2025, as part of the court's website upgrades, functions as a generative AI virtual assistant that guides users through court services, procedures and resources. The chatbot delivers real-time responses using information drawn from the court's website and the Judicial Council of California.

"This recognition reflects the court's ongoing commitment to improving access to justice through the thoughtful and innovative use of technology," Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II said in a statement Monday. "CourtHelp is one of many ways we are working to meet court users where they are."

The tool is designed to reduce confusion and streamline interactions with the court system, particularly for self-represented litigants and others unfamiliar with legal processes.

The Justice Chin Technology Innovation Award, first presented in 2023, underscores the judiciary's increasing focus on modernizing services and improving user experience through innovation.

Court officials said the chatbot aligns with broader strategic goals to enhance accessibility and efficiency across court operations.

The Los Angeles Superior Court, the largest trial court in the nation, has 36 courthouses and serves nearly 10 million residents across more than 4,000 square miles.