The Colombian court essentially made history in the metaverse. The Administrative Court of Magdalena successfully held a hearing in the Metaverse on February 15, 2023, presided over by Judge María Victoria Quiñones Triana.
Judge Quiñones stated, “The metaverse constitutes a technological tool that can facilitate access to the administration of justice. The use of information technology in the development of judicial proceedings has the essential purpose of facilitating and expediting these processes [of executing justice].”
Plaintiff Unión Temporal de Servicios Integrados y Especializados de Tránsito y Transporte de Santa Marta (SIETT) made the request to hold the hearing in the metaverse, which was later accepted by the defendant: the National Police and the Ministry of Defense and by the Public Ministry’s Office.
Horizon Workrooms powered by Horizon Worlds technology, a Meta platform that enables teams to meet through a virtual workspace, was used by the officials in Colombia to conduct a two-hour court session.
To participate, Colombian attorneys donned virtual reality headsets, appearing as customizable avatars in the metaverse, and the meeting was live-streamed on YouTube.
Quiñones used verification numbers sent to the emails registered in the names of each of the parties engaged as confirmation of identity. The Judge claimed that validating the real identity of the assistants was one of the critical steps in the metaverse.
Since the rampage of the Covid-19 pandemic virtual court hearings has been a thing. But appearing as avatars in a virtual court sitting is a remarkable milestone.
Several observers commented that this court proceeding was groundbreaking for web3, but others disagreed with the idea, believing that having avatars present diminishes the gravity of the situation.
Facing the remarks Quiñones replied, “We understand the constructive criticism that has been made regarding the deficiencies that we have or not in the Judicial Branch, but we are here with all the spirit of giving support so that this process can move forward.”
Even international regulators are seeking to learn about the concept of the metaverse. Recently, Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock said the organization is looking at how it can solve crimes in the metaverse so as to not get left behind.
