Facilities in EU countries

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.

Last update: 06/10/2020

This page is maintained by the European Commission. The information on this page does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Commission. The 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 with regard to copyright rules for European pages.

Facilities in EU countries - Belgium

VC_equipment_ver_1_be_en.pdfPDF(14 Kb)en

Last update: 19/10/2015

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Bulgaria

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 Link opens in new windowhere PDF(449 Kb)en.

Last update: 15/01/2024

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Czechia

VC_equipment_ver_2_CZ_enPDF(367 Kb)en

Last update: 16/09/2020

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Germany

Videoconferencing equipment in GermanyPDF(503 KB)de

Last update: 05/09/2022

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Estonia

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: Link opens in new windowcentral.authority@just.ee

VC equipment PDF(39 Kb)en

Last update: 24/04/2023

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Ireland

1 Is it possible for evidence to be taken by videoconference either with the participation of a court in the requesting Member State or directly by a court of that Member State? If yes, what are the relevant national procedures or laws that apply?

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.”

2 Are there any restrictions on the type of person who can be examined by videoconference – for example, is it only witnesses or can others such as experts or parties also be examined in this way?

There are no restrictions of the kind suggested on the type of person who can be examined.

3 What restrictions, if any, are there on the type of evidence that can be obtained by videoconference?

There are no restrictions on the type of evidence that can be obtained.

4 Are there any restrictions on where the person should be examined by videoconference – i.e. does it have to be in a court?

There are no restrictions, subject to the acquiescence of the judge.

5 Is it permitted to record videoconference hearings and, if so, is the facility available?

There is a facility to record videoconference hearings in Ireland. Access to such a recording would have to be ordered by the court.

6 In what language should the hearing be conducted: (a) where requests are made under Articles 10 to 12; and (b) where there is direct taking of evidence under Article 17?

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.

7 If interpreters are required, who is responsible for providing them under both types of hearing and where should they be located?

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.

8 What procedure applies to the arrangements for the hearing and to notify the person to be examined about the time and place? How much time should be allowed when arranging the date of the hearing to enable the person to receive sufficient notification?

All arrangements will be agreed between the two courts. Testing prior to the court is recommended to ensure the link operates adequately.

9 What costs apply to the use of videoconferencing and how should they be paid?

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.

10 What requirements, if any, are there for ensuring that the person examined directly by the requesting court has been informed that the performance shall take place on a voluntary basis?

It is a matter for the requesting court to inform the witness.

11 What procedure exists for verifying the identity of the person to be examined?

It is for the court to satisfy itself as to the identity of the person being examined.

12 What requirements for taking oaths apply and what information is needed from the requesting court when an oath is required during direct taking of evidence under Article 17?

The oath should be made under the normal procedures for courts in Ireland.

13 What arrangements are there for ensuring that there is a contact person at the place of the videoconference with whom the requesting court can liaise and a person who is available on the day of the hearing to operate the videoconferencing facilities and deal with any technical problems?

This is a matter to be agreed between the two courts.

14 What, if any, additional information is required from the requesting court?

None except if there are any special requests (e.g. sign language, wheelchair access, special religious requirements for the oath etc.).

Last update: 26/04/2023

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Greece

Videoconferencing equipment in GreecePDF(8 Kb)en

Last update: 04/07/2023

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Spain

Videoconferencing equipment in SpainPDF(931 KB)es

Last update: 17/01/2024

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Croatia

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.

Legal framework

  • European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters of 20 April 1959, along with both Additional Protocols (of 17 March 1978 – Narodne novine (NN; Official Gazette of the Republic of Croatia) Međunarodni ugovori [International Treaties] No 4/99 – and of 8 November 2001 – NN International Treaties No 4/07)
  • Act on international legal assistance in criminal matters (Zakon o međunarodnoj pravnoj pomoći u kaznenim stvarima) (NN No 178/04)
  • Criminal Procedure Act (Zakon o kaznenom postupku) (NN Nos 152/08, 76/09, 80/11, 121/11, 91/12, 143/12, 56/13, 145/13, 152/14, 70/17)

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).

Contact person at the central authority

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: Link opens in new windowAlan.Marinkovic@pravosudje.hr; Link opens in new windoweuropska.unija@mpu.hr

Contacts at courts with regard to hearings via video link

Link opens in new windowContacts PDF(459 Kb)hr

List of courts that have video equipment donated by UNICEF (Skype for Business) for the recording of information from children

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

Last update: 26/04/2023

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Cyprus

Videoconferencing equipment in CyprusPDF(8 Kb)en

Last update: 20/10/2015

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Latvia

Videoconferencing equipment in LatviaPDF(214 KB)lv

Last update: 18/01/2023

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Lithuania

There are currently no video conference facilities in Lithuanian courts.

Last update: 07/04/2023

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Luxembourg

Videoconferencing equipment in LuxembourgPDF(117 KB)en

Last update: 04/10/2016

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Hungary

The Hungarian courts do not have fixed videoconferencing facilities; however, they rent such equipment if necessary.

Last update: 13/09/2019

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Malta

Videoconferencing equipment in MaltaPDF(2324 KB)en

Last update: 04/05/2021

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Netherlands

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 PDF(98 Kb)en (in English)

More information on how videoconferencing in court cases works Link opens in new windowhere.

Last update: 18/04/2023

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Austria

An overview of videoconferencing equipment in the Austrian courts and public prosecutor’s offices, together with their contact details, can be downloaded herePDF(840 Kb)en.

Last update: 15/09/2020

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Portugal

The attached document contains technical information about the videoconferencing equipment installed in the different courts.

Videoconferencing systems for courts in PortugalPDF(119 Kb)en

Last update: 28/03/2023

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Romania

Videoconferencing equipment in RomaniaPDF(68 Kb)en

Last update: 26/11/2015

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Slovenia

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.

VC_equipment_ver_1_si_en PDF(32 Kb)en

Last update: 18/04/2023

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.

Aan de vertaling in het Nederlands wordt momenteel gewerkt.
De volgende vertalingen zijn al beschikbaar: Slowaaks

Facilities in EU countries - Slovakia

Videoconferencing equipment in SlovakiaPDF(9 Kb)en

Last update: 27/02/2023

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.

Facilities in EU countries - Sweden

Videokonferensanläggningar i Sveriges domstolarPDF(7121 KB)sv

Last update: 07/12/2023

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.

Facilities in EU countries - United Kingdom

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 Link opens in new windowUK 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 Link opens in new windowguidelines 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: Link opens in new windowbill.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.

Last update: 01/11/2016

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.