This month, a Colombian court conducted its first legal trial in the metaverse.

A court case involving parties to a traffic conflict was reportedly heard on February 15 in the Metaverse, as reported by Reuters on February 24.

Avatars were used to portray the lawyers and defendants involved in the case virtually.

The case at hand was “more real than a video chat,” Magistrate Maria Quinones Triana said in a recent report, who was clad in black legal robes.

The judge compared it to Zoom, wherein she stated that, “A lot of people switch off their cameras, you don’t know what they’re doing.”

A Colombian Court held a hearing on the Metaverse on February 15, 2023, allowing the parties to appear over VR or video and using avatars or characters. The court resolved that “using technologies such as the Metaverse does not entail a violation of the due process” and instead:… https://t.co/NhsrYhLJTA

— Eli.eth (Eliana) (@eliana_esq) February 22, 2023

Court Proceedings In The Metaverse

Over 70% of respondents to a study published by CoinWire on January 16 believe that the metaverse will eventually affect social habits owing to new techniques used for leisure and activities, prompting the holding of the virtual hearing.

The first attempts at conducting interviews or holding meetings in the virtual world were widely ridiculed for seeming like clumsy cartoons.

Apart from the usual nauseating camera jitters and distorted video that come with such new technology, the court trial in Colombia went off without a hitch.

Throughout the next decade, “the physical world side” of the metaverse will emerge, according to “Into the Metaverse” author Cathy Hackl.

The metaverse is a term used to describe a virtual world that is entirely immersive and interactive, like a massive, persistent virtual reality. Think of it as a fully realized digital space that you can enter and explore, just like you might in the real world.

It’s a place where you can connect with others, create and manipulate objects, and experience a variety of activities and adventures.

The metaverse is essentially an extension of the internet, but instead of browsing web pages, you would navigate a three-dimensional space that is more akin to a game or virtual reality experience.

Virtual Hearings: A Long Road Ahead

It could potentially include everything from social networking and online gaming to e-commerce and education, and it’s expected to become a major part of our digital lives in the years to come.

Professor of public policy at Colombia’s University of Rosario Juan David Gutierrez has indicated that there is still a long way to go before the metaverse is used in the courtroom.

“You’ll need some specialized equipment for this, which is not widely available. And that prompts questions about accessibility to justice and equality,” he told Reuters.

On Dinosaurs And Avatars – Seriously?

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, virtual court hearings and other forms of meetings became the norm.

When governments around the world instituted lockdowns, businesses started using the video conferencing platform Zoom instead, driving up the price of shares and increasing the valuation of the company.

Meanwhile, viewers questioned whether or not the metaverse’s use of cartoonish characters was suitable for a courtroom environment.

“I feel it takes away the seriousness. If I want to see myself in a dinosaur character, is that also acceptable?” a viewer asked.

-Featured image from VOI