On November 17, 2020 in the State Gazette was published variety of amendments and supplements of the Civil Procedure Code (“CPC”).
The most significant change is the introduction of videoconference as an opportunity to hold open court hearings. The condition for using the videoconference connection is mutual agreement of the parties.
“Videoconference” is defined as a communication link through a technical means for simultaneous transmission and reception of image and sound between participants in the respective hearing, located in different places, allowing recording and storage of information on electronic media.
CPC adds that the oral interpretation and explanation can also be done by videoconference.
The court shall monitor a hearing by videoconference to comply with the technical requirements for performing procedural actions in electronic form and the ways of performing them, the communication link used to allow simultaneous transmission and reception of image and sound, procedural actions to be taken by all participants in the meeting, located in different places and to make a videoconference recording.
For the conference performed, a video recording is made on an electronic holder and is attached to the case.
The collection of evidence by video conference can be done at the request of the party, and at the hearing of an expert-official by the Court.
