|
|
|
Canon VB-C50i/R network video cameras and VK16 network video recording software enable the University of Canberra Law School to create a powerful training and research environment
At a glance
At a glance
University of Canberra's National Court of the Future
Industry
Legal courtroom for training and research
Geographies
Canberra
Canon Products Used
Four Canon VB-C50i/R network cameras, Canon VK16 Network Video Recording Software
By teaming up with Canon, the University of Canberra Law School has created the National Court of the Future ? a world-leading training and research facility to showcase how emerging video technology can complement the legal industry.
Though lawyers tend to be early adopters of new technology, courtrooms can shun its use because of the potential impact on legal decisions. Lawyers are aware of the potential for a jury to be influenced by how they perceive a witness, and have been slow to incorporate technology into a courtroom as a result. The National Court of the Future could challenge these preferences.
The University of Canberra Law School was launched in 1993 and looked to build a working court room on campus to help train students. The faculty was also looking to study how technology could increase efficiency within Australian courtrooms without affecting legal decisions.
Legal expert Arthur Hoyle joined in 1994 and travelled the world with Eugene Clarke to study best-practice courtrooms. The University of Canberra Law School then teamed up with Canon in order to build one of the most technologically advanced court rooms in the world.
Today, digital video conferencing (Video over IP) systems at the National Court of the Future enable legal professionals to understand the possibilities of incorporating new technology into courtroom environments. The court is far more than just a training tool, though ? it was recently showcased on a world stage when it enabled witnesses to give evidence against former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosovic in The Hague.
The courtroom employs four of Canon's VB-C50i/R Pan/Tilt Network Cameras and locally developed VK16 Network Video Recording Software to allow witnesses to give evidence remotely. It also enables lecturers to train students and study the effects of remote testimony on a jury's perceptions.
Canon's VB-C50i/R cameras are all reverse mounted on the ceilings, positioned so that each camera looks to the judge, witness, prosecution and defence parties. The cameras then feed into Canon's VK16 software, which records the images on a network. The cameras can be manipulated by an operator at the back of the courtroom. Recorded activity can be played back or streamed live over the internet.
The facility is used by students to review their performances in a real world environment and doubles as a training tool for working legal professionals to get acquainted with elegant, non-intrusive technologies to help improve efficiency within Australian courtrooms.
Canon's software is developed as a result of Australian research and development, another bonus for Director of Operations, Arthur Hoyle, who favours the local connection.
|
|
 |
|
