Video Conferencing
By Katya Hodge
Video conferencing is widespread in today’s courtrooms. It allows people in different geographical locations to “appear” in court, to see and hear all that is happening in the courtroom and be able to answer questions posed by presiding judges and lawyers. The benefits of this convenient, cost-effective, time-saving solution are plentiful.
Besides the obvious benefits of saving, video conferencing can also facilitate the testimony of children, protect the individuals involved in sensitive cases, help access to justice in remote areas and reduce the cost of security.
And while there are still a few who resist the use of video conferencing, preferring human face-to-face interaction, most view it as a positive tool that offers efficiencies and opportunities that result in justice better served with less wait time.
Preparing your client for video conferencing
During a video conference, the client will be ‘on stage’ for the duration — not just during responses, but also between questions and during any delays. Non-verbal communication like eye-contact and body language will be watched and noticed, so it is important to not underestimate the time needed to prepare your client for their video-day in court. The following are tips to getting your client ready for a video conference.
1. Appearance
It is important that your client dress appropriately, just as the client would if they were actually going to court. Avoid small busy patterns and extremely bright or ‘saturated’ colours, which don’t work well on camera.
2. Eye contact
The client must either look directly at the questioner or into the camera. They should not get distracted by movements in the courtroom, shifting their eyes back and forth, as this can give a ‘shifty-eyes’ look on the screen.
3. Body language
The camera will remain fixed on the client at all times so it is important to project positive body language. Stress the importance of avoiding distracting behaviours like fidgeting, nail biting and finger tapping. A solution is to sit up straight and keep hands on the table for the duration.
4. Answers
On video, too much of a pause between question and answer can have a negative effect, insinuating that the client is hiding something. Answers should be open and to the point.
5. Attitude
It goes without saying that the attitude should be one of cooperation. Never, under any circumstances, should the client arguewith the questioner.
6. Practice
Practising on camera allows you to point out the good and the bad to your client. It will help them get comfortable with being on camera and familiarize them with the questions.
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High-tech on a budget
With a modest budget you can bring a regular courtroom into the tech future. The following is a list of simple, affordable tools needed for an e-trial.
Laptops: You will need a laptop complete with litigation and presentation software, the joint brief and any other documents needed for the trial.
Document cameras: If Court services don’t have any, you need a document camera that will display your documents, photos and objects. It captures the images and projects them onto a screen or monitors for all to see. Projectors and screens, or monitors Cabling for LCD projectors and screens is easier to manage than for individual monitors on each attorney’s desk. It is important to determine the layout of the courtroom to determine where the screen should be placed so that all participants have a clear view.
Cables & extension cords: It is worth keeping extras of these in your kit. There is nothing worse than not being able to reach the plug.
—Luigi Benetton
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