Description
Videoconferencing in the judiciary in developed countries is already commonly used. Foreign experience shows that this technology has advantages and can speed up, streamline and optimize the proceedings as well as the financial costs. Videoconferencing is a modern way of communication enabling simultaneous audio and video transmission between two or more participants. The project aims to increase efficiency, improving processes and improving the accessibility of public administration at national and regional level by application of modern information and communication technologies in 123 judicial institutions in the Czech Republic. Expected benefits of the project are primarily in reducing time delays in court proceedings, reducing the cost of armed escorts or of the transport of other participants in the trial court, to ensure greater safety during transportation etc. both at the national as well as cross-border level. .
Summary of project results
The overall objective of the project, increasing efficiency, improving processes and improving the accessibility of public administration at national and regional level by application of modern information and communication technologies, including the establishment of case management systems, has been fulfilled. Extending the project implementation period by one year allowed for extension of the subject of the project. Thanks to savings, the originally planned number of 143 videoconferencing sets was extended by 21 sets, 42 document cameras, 2 disk arrays and a tape library. Videoconferencing sets were installed in 141 locations. 1261 users were trained and 141 trainings of administrators were held. The annual frequency of videoconferencing according to the values achieved in September 2016 - April 2017 is estimated at 849, which significantly exceeds the original estimate (300). Using videoconferencing significantly reduced financial costs, speeded up communication, and increased safety without the need to transfer prisoners to hearings. It is possible to carry out remote communication in criminal and civil proceedings without the need of travel and personal participation of witnesses, experts, interpreters or prisoners. It is possible to conduct court hearings by default and to ensure full testimony of participants in the process without the need for their personal participation. The project allows national and cross-border interrogations of detainees, accused, convicted, witnesses (including classified or threatened), experts or interpreters. Videoconference can also be used for training, conferences and presentations. You can record, archive, sort, and share calls. A single reservation system has been put in place. Courts at all levels are involved as well as the prosecutor's offices and all prisons. Beyond the planned scope of the project, the connection was made also to the videoconferencing facilities of the Czech Police and psychiatric hospitals and this brought further benefits to all involved parties. All the planned objectives were successfully achieved, and over time, thanks to the proven trend of the progressive growth of videoconferencing, the overall benefits of the project are cumulatively increasing. Extensive training has increased the awareness of videoconferencing and has prompted active interest among users.
Summary of bilateral results