INCREASED USE OF VIDEO CONFERENCING AND AUDIO-VISUAL RECORDING TECHNOLOGIES IN COURT ROOMS

The use of video conferencing technology in the court rooms is increasing in Hungary; in the past year 3163 remote court hearings were held. Up until now, 72 courtrooms are equipped with electronic devices ensuring the remote appearance before the court. As a result of ongoing development projects, by the end of 2019, the remote appearance will be available in additional 112 courtrooms. The remote court hearing is time and cost efficient, and it also reduces the risks attached to the transportation of detainees and ensures protection for witnesses. In practice, judges mainly hold remote court hearings in criminal proceedings.

Within the framework of the development project, court rooms will be equipped also with audio-visual recording devices. The audio-visual recording ensures the accurate documentation of the court hearings, and in the future, it might replace the current recording techniques resulting in the speeding up of the decision making process.