Virtual reality in judicial proceedings: a view from Germany and Ukraine

The paper explores the integration of virtual reality (VR) technologies into judicial proceedings. The study begins with an analysis of the use cases of VR in the judicial processes in Germany and other countries where there are known cases of using VR tools for such purposes as crime scene reproduction and evidence representation. The mentioned use cases of the implementation of VR in court proceedings include, in particular, the employment of VR for the reconstruction of the crime scene of the murder of two police officers in Kusel, the trial against former guard at Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp Reinhold Hanning, a fatal speeding accident investigation in Wiesbaden (criminal cases in Germany), and the U.S. civil case Stephenson v. Honda Motors Ltd. of America. Additionally, the paper considers some ongoing pilot projects and initiatives that use VR in the legal field, particularly for courtroom simulations, legal education and professional training. The paper then analyzes the current status and potential for implementing VR within the judicial system of Ukraine. The research explores the views of Ukrainian legal scholars who have studied the perspectives of VR. Finally, the research outlines the key advantages and challenges associated with integrating VR into judicial proceedings. While VR offers significant advantages, it also raises complex legal and ethical challenges. Judges must be prepared to adjudicate disputes and address complex legal issues arising from the use of VR technologies, which simultaneously requires the adoption of appropriate legal regulations that can be interpreted and enforced by the courts. The paper concludes that the effective integration of VR into court proceedings should be supported by dedicated legal frameworks that define the legal status of VR, regulate the admissibility and procedural status of VR-based evidence, and address data protection and other concerns related to the use of VR in court proceedings.