Welcome to the Virtual Courtroom Project

Academics at the Open University have designed and built a highly realistic immersive virtual courtroom (VCR) where users can explore and learn about the court system. In addition, the courtroom allows users to come together in the VCR to engage in mock hearings to support the practice and development of advocacy skills. The VCR can support people representing themselves, witnesses, jurors and those studying and practising law.

To find out more visit our website and if you want to get involved with the project, please email us at open-justice@open.ac.uk

The web-based demonstration below shows the 'tutorial' and 'explore' modes of the virtual courtroom. Please note that it is a working prototype and may not display the full range of capabilities intended for the final version.

This short video below explains our vision for the virtual courtroom.

Project director Francine Ryan also appeared as a guest on the Reimagine law podcast in February 2024 talking about the virtual courtroom. Listen at the link below.