Many courts in Member States are now equipped with videoconferencing facilities in the courtroom or in special hearing rooms for witnesses and experts.
To make it easier for judges, prosecutors and court staff to find the practical information they need to conduct a hearing by videoconference in cross-border proceedings, the Member States' Justice Ministries have provided details on the location and type of videoconferencing facilities available in courts. Please select the relevant country's flag to obtain detailed national information. No details are given of equipment installed in ministries or prisons.
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The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The use of videoconferencing will contribute to modernising Bulgaria’s judicial system and improving its accessibility. However, it will also bring Bulgaria closer to the good practices used in other Member States of the European Union.
The videoconferencing systems set up by the Ministry of Justice are located in 26 rooms within judicial buildings in Bulgaria (20 in courts and 6 in prisons). The videoconferencing rooms were established following the implementation of the project ‘Establishment of videoconferencing facilities and their use in the pre-trial and trial phases, including cross-border judicial cooperation’, financed by the Good Governance operational programme via the European Social Fund.
An overview of the videoconferencing facilities of the Bulgarian courts and the relevant contact details can be found here (449 Kb).
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The attached document provides detailed information on which courts have facilities and what type of equipment they have in place.
It is the Ministry of Justice, however, that is responsible for organising international judicial cooperation. Courts must not be contacted directly about these matters. All letters rogatory to hear parties by videoconference must be sent to the following address:
Justiitsministeerium Rahvusvahelise justiitskoostöö talitus Suur-Ameerika 1, 10122 Tallinn Email: central.authority@just.eeThe national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
It is possible for evidence to be taken by videoconference in the courts of Ireland either with the participation of a court in another Member State or directly by a court of that Member State.Procedures include High Court Practice Direction “HC45 - Use of video conferencing link for taking evidence in civil cases.”
There are no restrictions of the kind suggested on the type of person who can be examined.
There are no restrictions on the type of evidence that can be obtained.
There are no restrictions, subject to the acquiescence of the judge.
There is a facility to record videoconference hearings in Ireland. Access to such a recording would have to be ordered by the court.
The hearing should be conducted in English or Irish if conducted in Ireland. However, in the case of a hearing outside Ireland there are no restrictions as to language.
If the court is in Ireland the interpreter will be provided by the court authorities in Ireland if the matter relates to a Family Law or criminal matter. In a civil matter it is the responsibility of the parties to arrange interpretation.
If the requesting court cannot understand English or Irish it is the responsibility of that court to provide for its own interpretation.
There are no restrictions on where the interpreter should be located.
All arrangements will be agreed between the two courts. Testing prior to the court is recommended to ensure the link operates adequately.
Costs will vary depending on a number of circumstances including the place of the videoconference (i.e. whether it is a court or another premises); the time of the hearing (i.e. if it is out of normal court hours staff will be required to stay longer); whether any special procedures are required; and whether any costs arise through the use of the equipment. The requested court will inform the requesting court of the costs. Payment should be made in Euro.
It is a matter for the requesting court to inform the witness.
It is for the court to satisfy itself as to the identity of the person being examined.
The oath should be made under the normal procedures for courts in Ireland.
This is a matter to be agreed between the two courts.
None except if there are any special requests (e.g. sign language, wheelchair access, special religious requirements for the oath etc.).
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The examination of witnesses in Croatia for the purpose of proceedings before a foreign court is carried out in response to a request for international (mutual) legal assistance. This also applies to the questioning of a witness by video conference where the domestic court, at the request of a foreign judicial authority, conducts the examination of a witness in Croatia and allows this questioning to be broadcast via video link.
The central authority for receiving letters rogatory for legal aid is the Division for International Legal Assistance and Judicial Cooperation with EU Member States of the Directorate for European Affairs, International and Judicial Cooperation at the Croatian Ministry of Justice (Ministarstvo pravosuđa RH, Uprava za europske poslove, međunarodnu i pravosudnu suradnju, Sektor za međunarodnu pravnu pomoć i pravosudnu suradnju s državama članicama EU).
Alan Marinković
Service for International Legal Assistance and Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters (Služba za međunarodnu pravnu pomoć i pravosudnu suradnju u kaznenim stvarima)
tel.: +385 1 3714203, +385 1 3714558
email: Alan.Marinkovic@pravosudje.hr; europska.unija@mpu.hr
Zagreb Municipal Criminal Court (općinski kazneni sud) |
Split Municipal Court (općinski sud) |
Bjelovar County Court (županijski sud) |
Osijek County Court |
Rijeka County Court |
Sisak County Court |
Split County Court |
Varaždin County Court |
Zagreb County Court |
Velika Gorica County Court |
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
There are currently no video conference facilities in Lithuanian courts.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The Hungarian courts do not have fixed videoconferencing facilities; however, they rent such equipment if necessary.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
Most courts in the Netherlands have equipment for hearing witnesses or experts remotely in the courtroom by videoconference. The procedure is also referred to as a 'telehearing' in the Netherlands.
The document below provides information on the type of videoconferencing equipment available at the relevant court.
Videoconferencing equipment (98 Kb) (in English)
More information on how videoconferencing in court cases works here.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
An overview of videoconferencing equipment in the Austrian courts and public prosecutor’s offices, together with their contact details, can be downloaded here(840 Kb).
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The attached document contains technical information about the videoconferencing equipment installed in the different courts.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
In Slovenia, 11 courtrooms in the district courts, 11 social services centres and the prison at Dob pri Mirna have been equipped with a videoconference system since 1 May 2011, and one device is in use by the police. Three mobile videoconferencing devices are available for videoconferences in courts or social services centres that have no system installed as yet.
Slovenia systematically included videoconferencing systems in the projects it implemented between 2009 and 2013. The project qualified for 85% financing from the European Social Fund.
Videoconference systems are an important asset for the Slovenian justice system. They facilitate questioning of witnesses, experts, children, hospitalised patients, residents of care homes for the elderly, prisoners and other distance hearings. They are especially advantageous for cross-border cases, allowing parties living abroad to participate in the court proceedings much more easily. Instead of having to travel to Slovenia, they can make a statement or be heard through a videoconference link.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.
The administration of videoconferencing facilities in the UK is decentralised, so there is no national point of contact for reserving equipment. However, cross-border videoconferencing requests must be addressed to the following organisations before any contact with the court concerned.
In England and Wales the UK Central Authority (UKCA) based at the Home Office is the central authority for receiving videoconferencing hearing requests in criminal matters. Information on how to a make request for videoconferencing facilities in the UK can be found under the heading ‘Hearings via Video or Telephone Conference’ on the Home Office's guidelines on requests for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.If a request is accepted, the UKCA nominates a relevant court (based on location of the witness). In civil matters, the Senior Master of the Queen's Bench Division and Queen's Remembrancer is the judge in the Royal Courts of Justice who receives all cross-border videoconferencing requests before referring the matter to the relevant court.
More information on Taking of Evidence can be found here in the e-Justice portal under European Judicial Atlas in Civil matters. There are 1,800 video links operational in the courts across England and Wales, mostly in the criminal courts but there is also some availability in the civil courts. 500 of these are witness rooms suitable for giving evidence from.
In Scotland videoconferencing requests in criminal matters must be addressed to the International Cooperation Unit of the Crown Office in Edinburgh. In civil matters, requests should be addressed to the Scottish Government, Civil Law and Legal System Division, St Andrew's House (GW15), Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG (e-mail: bill.galbraith@gov.scot).In Northern Ireland requests in criminal matters must be addressed to the same central authority as for England and Wales (see above). In civil matters, requests must be addressed to the High Court Civil and Criminal Division in Belfast.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.