Transnational Videoconferencing

A Priority in European E-Justice

Peter J.A. van Rotterdam

23 augustus 2010

Het Expertise Centrum

Van de Spiegelstraat 12
2518 ET 's-Gravenhage
T 070 351 49 97
F 070 351 52 82
www.hec.nl
info@hec.nl
 Requirements in Dutch Law (1)

• include realtime, body-language, lip-synchronity, simultaneous speech/interpretation

multiple fixed camera’s (one for each actor; no pan, tilt or zoom)

multiple large screens (with picture in picture for
True-to-Life eye-contact, eye-angle-contact, documents and room overview)

multiple microphones and loudspeakers

custom-built operating panel
All this leads to a set of off-the-shelve components for which dedicated position,
composition and tuning make a specific custom-built videoconferencing solution.

• facility to consult one’s lawyer from remote, not to be heard by others

Consultation

dedicated mute-function
 Requirements in Dutch Law (2)

Exchange of

fax and document camera
Documents

128 AES encrypted

Secure

vandal-proof

Cross-Border • use of JustitieNet (NL Justice WAN)

Connectivity • IP and ISDN following H323 standard

Additional requirements from court practice:

• court rooms must remain usable for non-videoconferencing proceedings

Usability • fast alternating use for videoconferencing and non-videoconferencing (~1 minute)
• fast change of videoconferencing settings between cases (~1 minute)
VC in The Netherlands Justice -
stepwise developed to True-to-Life

Until mid 2005 Ergonomical/Technical Research

Autumn 2005 Requirements Specification + European Tender
2006 Vendor Contracting + Site Survey and Preparation
2007 Restricted Launch of Videoconferencing in
- Court Maastricht + Prison Dordrecht
- Court Haarlem + Court Curaçao
- Court The Hague
Evaluation of Experiences
Early 2008 Decision to Full Launch of VC in The Netherlands
Presentations to European Commission WGroups
Since then Implementation of VC
VC in The Netherlands Justice -
VC Room in Court Haarlem
VC in The European Union –
getting more and more attention

Mid 2001 Council Regulation re Transnational VC in place

Meantime Several initiatives from policy level to actual use
Early 2008 NL presents VC to European Commission WGroups

2009/2010 EC-DG Justice, Freedom and Security issues several

Calls for Proposals with a.o. E-Justice i.e.
Transnational Videoconferencing as a priority

Now NL Ministry of Justice, together with entities from Austria,

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Malta and
Rumania, await go-decision by EC re.
Proposal on Transnational Videoconferencing

NL Ministry of Justice, together with entities from Belgium,

Czech Republic, Ireland, Latvia, Rumania and Slovenia,
issued 2-nd Proposal on Transnational Videoconferencing

NL Ministry of Justice, together with Germany and Turkey,

prepare 3-rd Proposal on Transnational Videoconferencing
VC in The European Union –
Feasible Ambition Levels

First Proposal:
Agree on common ‘True-to-Life’ quality requirements
VC Studio in Germany, Mobile VC in Czech Republic,
Evaluation of VC Facilities in Malta
Sharing Best Practices

Later:
Each EU Member State has at least 2 Courts with VC facilities
At an agreed ‘True-to-Life’ quality level
To apply VC for national and transnational purposes

And From There:

Further Roll-Out as appropriate