VIDEOCONFERENCING LEGAL SERVICES

 

What is a Video Link?

Within a legal context the words videoconference and video link can be interchangable.  The legal profession has adopted this term in preference to using the word videoconference.

Videoconferencing enables any person who is involved in court proceedings to participate in a hearing from a remote location. At its most basic, a witness at a remote location may give his/her evidence via a video link to the court with one screen and one camera in the courtroom. The technology needed to establish a video link can be relatively simple. A screen and a camera with a microphone is required at each location however best quality is achieved by using what is known as 'room based' equipment by the major manufacturers: Polycom, Sony, Tandberg and Lifesize, which deliver good quality at 384kbs and above.

An ISDN telephone line or high bandwidth IP connection is used to transmit the pictures and sound digitally between the locations.

In certain circumstances the courts will allow a temporary installation of equipment into a witnesses home where the the person needed to give evidence is unable to attend through disability.