Czasopisma logo

Monitor Prawniczy

no. 12/2020

New technologies in courts on the example of videoconferencing, submission of pleadings and electronic service of documents during the COVID-19 pandemic

DOI: 10.32027/MOP.20.12.3
Jacek Gołaczyński
Autor jest Kierownikiem Centrum Badań, Problemów Prawnych i Ekonomicznych Komunikacji Elektronicznej na Wydziale Prawa, Administracji i Ekonomii Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego, sędzią Sądu Apelacyjnego we Wrocławiu, autorem wielu publikacji z zakresu postępowania cywilnego, zwłaszcza jego informatyzacji. ORCID: 0000-0002-3295-7099.
Anna Zalesińska
Autorka jest adiunktem w Centrum Badań Problemów Prawnych i Ekonomicznych Komunikacji Elektronicznej na Wydziale Prawa, Administracji i Ekonomii Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego, radcą prawnym w OIRP we Wrocławiu, autorką wielu publikacji z zakresu informatyzacji postepowania cywilnego. ORCID: 0000-0001-9774-1566.
Abstract

As a result of the adoption of the Act of 14 May 2020 on amendment of certain acts concerning protective measures in connection with the spreading of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the legislator decided to allow a broad opportunity to participate in court sessions via videoconferencing. This has been taken into account in the self-amendment to the government bill amending certain acts concerning protective measures due to the spreading of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (doc. No. 344A). In accordance with Art. 15zzs1, during the period of the state of epidemic threat or the state of epidemic proclaimed because of COVID-19 and within one year from the last appeal, in cases examined pursuant to the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, a hearing or an open session shall be conducted using technical devices allowing for their remote conduct with simultaneous direct transmission of image and sound, except that the participating persons do not have to be in the courthouse, unless a hearing or a public hearing is conducted without using the above devices and that does not cause undue threat to the health of the participants. In addition, according to subsection 3 of the aforementioned article, if due to special circumstances the president of the court so orders, members of the bench, except for the chairman and clerk of the case, may participate in the meeting by means of electronic communication, except for the meeting at which the proceedings are closed. It is very important here that the existing understanding of remote hearing is changed, which so far required the presence of its participants in the courthouse. In accordance with Art. 15zzs1, participants of the hearings do not have to be in the courthouse and may attend the meeting remotely via a personal computer.Unfortunately, the legislator did not take advantage of the opportunity to introduce electronic communication to common courts during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure greater security for the parties and their attorneys as well as court employees, allowing for submissions and service of court documents to be made via ICT systems. Such omission may be all the more surprising because the already existing technical means indicated in the doctrine and by practitioners allow for such communication between the parties and the court. Moreover, the legal community is in agreement as to the need of introducing such solutions.