Earlier this month, a Colombian court conducted its inaugural legal hearing within the metaverse, employing virtual reality technology, as officials informed Reuters.
During the two-hour session organized by Colombia’s Magdalena Administrative Court, individuals involved in a traffic dispute were represented by avatars in a virtual courtroom. Judge Maria Quinones Triana appeared as an avatar, dressed in black legal robes.
Colombia stands among the pioneering countries globally to experiment with real legal proceedings in the metaverse, leveraging immersive virtual reality to enhance the authenticity of digital spaces, with each participant often represented by avatars.
Judge Quinones shared her experience with Reuters, stating, “It felt more real than a video call.” She described the metaverse encounter as “remarkable” and pointed out the challenges of traditional video calls where people often turn off their cameras, making it difficult to discern their activities.
Quinones indicated that the lawsuit filed by a regional transportation union against the police would partially proceed within the metaverse, potentially including the final ruling. She also didn’t rule out the possibility of metaverse trials in other locations.
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“This is an academic experiment that demonstrates its feasibility… but as long as all parties involved consent, my court can continue to conduct proceedings in the metaverse,” he added.
While the metaverse is still relatively uncharted territory, where companies like Meta (formerly Facebook), Microsoft, and other tech giants are competing to establish their presence, legal cases are increasingly shifting towards video conferences hosted by platforms like Zoom and Google.
Early attempts at utilizing the metaverse for interviews and meetings were often ridiculed for their awkward and cartoonish visuals. However, Colombia’s court hearing on February 15, which was posted on YouTube, proceeded relatively smoothly, with only a few minor issues such as occasional dizzying camera movements and distorted actions.
QUESTION MARKS
Quinones emphasized the constitutional validity of the virtual court while acknowledging the experiment’s lack of popularity, noting a 70% disapproval rate among the audience.
Juan David Gutierrez, a professor of public policy at the University of Rosario in Colombia, expressed the view that there is still a long way to go before incorporating the metaverse into legal proceedings. He pointed out that this would require equipment that very few people possess, raising concerns about access to justice and equality.
Quinones acknowledged the need to discuss costs and accessibility but advocated for the metaverse as a platform where, for instance, participants in cases of abuse could share a space without the necessity of physical presence.
Gutierrez highlighted that judges in Colombia are exploring ways to alleviate the strain on the country’s overloaded justice system. He cautioned that while technology often creates the illusion of increased efficiency, sometimes the opposite occurs.
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